The Art of the Game With Infotrac

by Theodoulou, Stella Z.; Kofinis, Chris

• ISBN13: 9780534529048
• ISBN10: 0534529046
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-16
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

THE ART OF THE GAME defines the dynamics of public policy, elucidates the complexity intrinsic to each stage of the policy process, and delves into the implications of public policy for American politics and society. Illustrating concepts and theories relevant to the policy process, the text incorporates contemporary examples with a variety of creative exercises that develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the subject matter. Underscoring this approach is a desire to combine both academic and applied perspectives. This approach helps readers to comprehend the significance of each stage and the dynamics of the policy process. In other words, rather than offering mere description or a standard explanation of the subject matter, THE ART OF THE GAME merges solid coverage of theoretical principles with an applied policy approach.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxi
About The Authors	xxiii
I THE FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC POLICY: THE LANGUAGE, THE WHAT, THE WHERE, AND THE WHO OF POLICY MAKING
The Language of Public Policy: Critical Concepts	2	(20)
A Series of Critical Concepts	2	(1)
Power	3	(1)
Authority and Legitimacy	4	(1)
Representation	5	(2)
Public Interest	7	(1)
Politics	7	(1)
Pluralism and Elitism	8	(1)
Public vs. Private	9	(4)
Needs and Rights	13	(2)
Equality and Justice	15	(1)
Efficiency and Effectiveness	16	(2)
Human Nature	18	(2)
Summary	20	(1)
Discussion Questions	20	(1)
Suggested Readings	20	(1)
Endnotes	21	(1)
The What: Policy Typologies, Policy Tools, and the Policy-Making Process	22	(14)
What Is Public Policy?	22	(1)
Public Policy Definitions---Competing Perspectives	23	(1)
Essential Components of a Public Policy Definition	24	(10)
Action and Inaction	24	(2)
Formal and Informal Players	26	(1)
Types of Public Policies	27	(3)
Intended Course of Action	30	(2)
Intentional and Unintentional Consequences	32	(1)
Policy Making as a Process	33	(1)
Summary	34	(1)
Discussion Questions	34	(1)
Suggested Readings	35	(1)
Endnotes	35	(1)
The Where: Institutional Structure, Legislative Centers, And Policy Arenas	36	(19)
Understanding the Where of American Policy Making	37	(1)
Public Arena---Direct and Indirect Elected Representation	38	(2)
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances	40	(5)
Coalitions of Broad Political Support	42	(1)
The Unifying Political Force of National Crisis	43	(2)
Federalism	45	(5)
Over 80,000 Legislative Centers and Counting	46	(2)
Fiscal Federalism	48	(2)
Critical Insights	50	(1)
Policy Arenas and Subgovernments	50	(2)
Summary	52	(1)
Discussion Questions	52	(1)
Suggested Readings	52	(1)
Endnotes	53	(2)
The Who: The Policy-Making Actors	55	(25)
The Policy Players---Institutional Actors	56	(13)
Members of Congress	57	(1)
Congressional Staff	58	(2)
President	60	(1)
Presidential Inner Circle	61	(2)
Executive Office of the President	63	(1)
Presidential Cabinet	63	(1)
Federal Courts	64	(3)
Bureaucracy	67	(2)
The Policy Players---Noninstitutional Actors	69	(5)
Interest Groups	69	(2)
Media	71	(2)
Think Tanks	73	(1)
The Public---A Mass of Individual Citizens	74	(1)
Summary	75	(1)
Discussion Questions	76	(1)
Suggested Readings	76	(1)
Endnotes	76	(4)
II UNDERSTANDING HOW POLICY IS MADE
The Policy Process: Diverse Models And Theories	80	(19)
The Role of Theory	80	(1)
Dominant Theories of the Policy Process	81	(13)
Stages-Heuristic (Policy Cycle) Approach	81	(2)
Stages-Heuristic (Policy Cycle) Approach---A Summary	83	(1)
Rational Choice Approaches	83	(3)
Rational Choice Approaches---A Summary	86	(1)
Advocacy Coalition Framework Approach	87	(1)
Advocacy Coalition Framework Approach---A Summary	88	(1)
Incremental Approach	89	(1)
Incremental Approach---A Summary	90	(1)
Multiple Streams Model	91	(1)
Multiple Streams Model---A Summary	92	(1)
Punctuated Equilibrium Model	92	(2)
Punctuated Equilibrium Model---A Summary	94	(1)
Summary of Dominant Theories of the Policy Process	94	(2)
Discussion Questions	96	(1)
Suggested Readings	97	(1)
Endnotes	97	(2)
Problem Identification: Recognition Of Problems And Issues	99	(18)
Identifying and Defining the Public Problem	100	(3)
The Confusion over Problem Identification	103	(2)
The Perceptual Process of Problem Identification	105	(3)
Factors Influencing Problem Identification	108	(4)
Public Problem or Private Issue?	110	(2)
The Role of Scope and Cost in Problem Identification	112	(1)
Scope	112	(1)
Cost	112	(1)
The Classic Public Policy Problem	113	(1)
Summary	114	(1)
Discussion Questions	115	(1)
Suggested Readings	116	(1)
Endnotes	116	(1)
Agenda Setting: A Theoretical Understanding	117	(14)
What Is Agenda Setting?	117	(1)
Down's Issue-Attention Cycle	118	(2)
Kingdon's Multiple Streams Model	120	(4)
Problems Stream	120	(1)
Policy Stream	121	(1)
Political Stream	122	(1)
Policy Windows	123	(1)
Cobb and Elder Agenda-Setting Model	124	(4)
Summary	128	(1)
Discussion Questions	129	(1)
Suggested Readings	129	(1)
Endnotes	130	(1)
Policy Design And Formulation	131	(14)
What Is Policy Formulation?	131	(1)
Generic Policy Solutions or Instruments	132	(1)
Actors Involved with Policy Formulation	133	(5)
The President	135	(1)
Congress	136	(1)
The Bureaucracy	136	(1)
Interest Groups	137	(1)
Think Tanks and Policy Entrepreneurs	137	(1)
How Policy Is Designed	138	(1)
Policy Analysis	139	(1)
The Policy Analysis Steps	140	(1)
Problem Definition	140	(1)
Establishing Evaluation Criteria	140	(1)
Developing Alternatives	141	(1)
Comparing and Selecting Alternatives	141	(1)
Evaluation	141	(1)
The Significance of Policy Analysis	141	(1)
Models of Policy Formulation	142	(1)
Routine	142	(1)
Creative	142	(1)
Conditional	142	(1)
Craftsman	143	(1)
Summary	143	(1)
Discussion Questions	143	(1)
Suggested Readings	144	(1)
Endnotes	144	(1)
Policy Adoption: Decisions And Strategies	145	(21)
Defining Policy Adoption	145	(1)
Policy Adoption Decision Criteria	146	(5)
Values	146	(2)
Political Party Affiliation	148	(1)
Constituency Interests	149	(1)
Deference	150	(1)
The Legislative Process and Policy Adoption	151	(1)
The Legislative Process---From Bill to Law	152	(7)
House of Representatives	153	(2)
The Senate	155	(2)
The Conference Committee	157	(1)
The President's Role	157	(2)
Theaters of Action	159	(1)
Public Theater	159	(1)
Executive Theater	159	(1)
Congressional Theater	159	(1)
Political Theater	160	(1)
Influencing Policy Adoption	160	(3)
Mobilizing Members and Votes	161	(1)
Direct Lobbying	161	(1)
Focused Mail and Telephone Campaigns	162	(1)
Aggressive Multimedia Campaigns	162	(1)
Summary	163	(1)
Discussion Questions	163	(1)
Suggested Readings	164	(1)
Endnotes	165	(1)
Policy Implementation: Execution Of Policy Solutions	166	(25)
What Is Policy Implementation?	166	(1)
Implementation---Why It Matters	167	(1)
The Relationship: Design and Policy Implementation	167	(3)
The Major Actor in Policy Implementation	170	(4)
Bureaucracy	170	(4)
Other Actors Involved in Policy Implementation	174	(5)
The President	174	(2)
Congress	176	(1)
Courts	177	(1)
Interest Groups	178	(1)
Challenges to Implementation	179	(1)
Theories of Implementation	179	(1)
Top-Down Approach	179	(1)
Bottom-Up Approach	180	(1)
Synthesis: A Top-Down, Bottom-Up Approach	180	(1)
Applying a Theory of Implementation	180	(2)
Mazmanian and Sabatier Top-Down Implementation Model	180	(2)
The Practice of Implementation	182	(5)
Challenges and Pitfalls of Implementation	182	(2)
Strategic Planning	184	(1)
Start-Up and Execution Phases	185	(2)
Models of Implementation	187	(1)
Summary	188	(1)
Discussion Questions	188	(1)
Suggested Readings	189	(1)
Endnotes	189	(2)
Policy Evaluation: The Assessment Of Executed Policy Solutions	191	(10)
What Is Policy Evaluation?	192	(1)
The Usefulness of Evaluation	192	(1)
Types of Policy Evaluation	193	(1)
Process Evaluation	193	(1)
Outcome Evaluation	193	(1)
Impact Evaluation	194	(1)
Cost--Benefit Analysis	194	(1)
How Policy Is Evaluated	194	(1)
Stages in the Evaluation Process	195	(2)
Stage One---Planning	195	(1)
Stage Two---Data Gathering	196	(1)
Stage Three---Dissemination	196	(1)
Who Evaluates?	197	(1)
Obstacles and Problems in Evaluation	198	(1)
Summary	199	(1)
Discussion Questions	199	(1)
Suggested Readings	199	(1)
Endnotes	200	(1)
Policy Change or Termination	201	(25)
Policy Change Defined	202	(1)
Reasons for Change	202	(1)
Patterns of Policy Change	203	(1)
Implementing Policy Change	203	(1)
Understanding Why Policy Change Occurs	203	(3)
The Cyclical Thesis	204	(1)
The Evolutionary or Policy-Learning Thesis	205	(1)
The Backlash or Zigzag Thesis	206	(1)
What is Policy Termination?	206	(1)
Why Is Policy Termination So Rare?	206	(1)
Reasons for Policy Termination	207	(1)
Types of Policy Termination	207	(1)
Approaches to Termination	208	(1)
Successful Policy Termination Strategies	208	(1)
Types of Terminators	209	(1)
Summary	209	(1)
Discussion Questions	209	(1)
Suggested Readings	210	(1)
Endnotes	210	(1)
An Illustrative Case of the Policy Process: Terrorism and Aviation Security	211	(8)
Social Construction and Agenda Setting: AIDS	219	(7)
III POLICY ARENAS: EXPLORING THE POLICY PROCESS
Environmental Policy: Defining and Identifying a Problem	226	(11)
Contemporary Environmental Policy in the United States	227	(4)
Environmental Problem Definition and Identification	231	(1)
The Policy Process and Environmental Policy Making	232	(1)
Environmental Policy Instruments	233	(1)
Summary	234	(1)
Discussion Questions	235	(1)
Suggested Readings	236	(1)
Endnotes	236	(1)
Education Policy: Setting And Building an Agenda	237	(15)
Contemporary Education Policy in the United States	239	(6)
Education Policy and the Agenda-Setting Process	245	(2)
Problem Stream	246	(1)
Policy Stream	246	(1)
Political Stream	247	(1)
The Policy Process and Education Reform	247	(1)
Education Policy Instruments	248	(1)
Summary	249	(1)
Discussion Questions	250	(1)
Suggested Readings	250	(1)
Endnotes	250	(2)
Health Care Policy: Designing Policy Alternatives	252	(17)
Contemporary Health Policy in the United States	256	(6)
Designing Health Policy Alternatives	262	(3)
The Policy Process and Health Care Policy	265	(1)
Health Care Policy Instruments	266	(1)
Summary	266	(1)
Discussion Questions	267	(1)
Suggested Readings	267	(1)
Endnotes	268	(1)
Welfare Policy: Formulating And Legitimizing Policy Solutions	269	(16)
Contemporary Social Welfare Policy in the United States	272	(5)
Formulation and Legitimation of Social Welfare Policy	277	(4)
Formulation of Welfare Reform	277	(1)
Legitimation of Welfare Reform	278	(3)
The Policy Process and Social Welfare Policy	281	(1)
Welfare Policy Instruments	281	(1)
Summary	282	(1)
Discussion Questions	283	(1)
Suggested Readings	283	(1)
Endnotes	283	(2)
Immigration Policy: Implementing and Evaluating Policy Solutions	285	(21)
Contemporary Immigration Policy in the United States	286	(1)
U.S. Immigration Statistics	287	(4)
Evolution of Immigration Policy	291	(6)
Implementing and Evaluating Immigration Policy	297	(4)
The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act---A Classic Policy Failure?	298	(3)
The Policy Process and Immigration Policy	301	(1)
Immigration Policy Instruments	302	(1)
Summary	302	(1)
Discussion Questions	303	(1)
Suggested Readings	303	(1)
Endnotes	303	(3)
Defense Policy: Changing Or Terminating Policies	306	(16)
Contemporary U.S. Defense Policy	309	(4)
China---The Next Global Peer Competitor	312	(1)
The Policy Process and Defense Policy	313	(3)
New Defense Policy Instruments	316	(2)
Summary	318	(1)
Discussion Questions	319	(1)
Suggested Readings	319	(1)
Endnotes	320	(2)
IV THE ART OF THE GAME
Understanding Choices And Decisions	322	(8)
Decision---Making Models	323	(5)
Rational Model	323	(1)
Incremental Model	324	(1)
Group Model	324	(1)
Elite Model	324	(1)
Subgovernments Model	325	(1)
Bureaucratic Corporatist Model	325	(1)
Institutional Model	325	(1)
Systems Model	325	(3)
Summary	328	(1)
Discussion Questions	328	(1)
Suggested Readings	328	(1)
Endnotes	328	(2)
Appendix Internet Resources	330