Understanding Public Policy

"The policy process is complex: it contains hundreds of people and organizations from various levels and types of government, from agencies, quasi- and non-governmental organizations, interest groups and the private and voluntary sectors. Offering a comprehensive introduction to public policy and policymaking, the second edition of this popular textbook sets out the major concepts and theories of public policy and explores how to combine their insights when seeking to explain the policy process. While a wide range of topics are covered, this engaging text draws out the common themes among the variety of studies considered and tackles three key questions: what is the story of each theory (or multiple theories); what does policy theory tell us about issues like 'evidence-based policymaking'; and how 'universal' are policy theories designed in the Global North? This book is the perfect companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying public policy, whether focused on theory, analysis or the policy process, and it is essential reading for all those on MPP or MPM programmes"--Back cover