How well can democratic decision making incorporate the knowledge and expertise generated by public policy analysts? This book examines the historical development of policy analysis, as well as its use in legislative and regulatory bodies and in the federal executive branch. The essays show that policy-analytic expertise effectively improves governmental services only when it complements democratic decision making. When successful, policy analysis fosters valuable new ideas, better use of evidence, and greater transparency in decision processes.
Does Policy Analysis Matter? Exploring Its Effectiveness in Theory and Practice
About the Book
Reviews
"Recommended."—CHOICE“This volume deals with an important question for policy scholars, makes an immediate contribution, and has the potential to encourage other policy scholars to take up the challenge.”—Dave Weimer, Edwin E. Witte Professor of Political Economy, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Table of Contents
Contributors
List of Figures and Tables
Preface
1. Public Policy Making and Public Policy Analysis
Lee S. Friedman
2. How Effective Is Policy Analysis?
John A. Hird
3. Can Congress Do Policy Analysis? The Politics of Problem Solving on Capitol Hill
Eric M. Patashnik and Justin Peck
4. The Complicated and the Complex: Policy Analysis in an Era of Design
M. Suzanne Donovan
5. Summary and Future Directions
Lee S. Friedman
Index