Top Down Policymaking

by Thomas R. Dye

In his eye-opening work, Dye explodes the myth that public policy represents the "demands of the people" and that the making of public policy flows upward from the masses. In reality, Dye argues, public policy in America, as in all nations, reflects the values, interests, and preferences of a governing elite. Top Down Policymaking is a close examination of the process by which the nation’s elite goes about the task of making public policy. Focusing on the behind-the-scenes activities of money foundations, policy planning organizations, think tanks, political campaign contributors, special-interest groups, lobbyists, law firms, influence-peddlers, and the national news media, Dye concludes that public policy is made from the top down.

Genres: Politics

174 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't get much out of it.

[Debby Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly ground breaking, in my opinion. It's easy to read and should be read by those who vote.