Handbook on Public Policy in Latin America

Bringing together an array of recognized scholars and practitioners from the region and beyond, this Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of public policy research in Latin America. It showcases diverse perspectives on the policymaking process, from historical, descriptive and prescriptive approaches to critical and feminist analyses. The Handbook is divided into three core thematic sections, covering analytical models and frameworks, cross-country comparisons, and in-depth case studies. Chapters explore the current use of mainstream theories and investigate topics such as transparency, innovation, regulation, communication, and public policy teaching, identifying key challenges as well as opportunities for development. They conduct detailed examinations of countries across Latin America, highlighting the heterogeneity of the region and revealing how policies are shaped by local political regimes, socio-economic conditions, and cultural factors. Ultimately, the Handbook encourages a rethinking of public policy processes in Latin America, underscoring the need to promote South-South connections and to develop analytical models that are sensitive to the regional context. Presenting original practical and theoretical innovations from Latin America to a wider international audience, this Handbook will benefit students and academics in public policy, public administration, policy analysis and evaluation, regulation and governance, and development studies. It is also an important read for policymakers and professionals looking to improve public policies in Latin America.