The Fundamentals of the Public Policy Process

The Fundamentals of the Public Policy Process provides students with a carefully selected collection of articles that introduce readers to essential theories and concepts in public policy. The anthology is organized in a way that parallels the stages heuristic model reflecting the individual stages of the public policy process. The text is divided into four distinct units. Unit I provides students with an overview of the discipline, includes a theoretical explanation of the process of policymaking, and explores the role of federalism within the political structure of the United States. Units II, III, and IV comprise the pre-decision, decision, and post-decision stages of the policy process. The chapters focus on further narrowing down these broader stages into seven more specific and concentrated ones that echo the stages model. In Unit II, the pre-decision stage, the readings coincide with the particular itemized stages of the policy cycle, including problem identification and definition, agenda setting, and policy formulation. Unit III focuses on the singular decision-making stage of policy adoption. The final unit, the post-decision stage, covers the political processes that occur following the adoption of a policy solution, including implementation, policy and program evaluation, and policy change and termination. The Fundamentals of the Public Policy Process is an ideal resource for introductory public policy courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.