Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice

by Weimer, David L.; Vining, Aidan R.

• ISBN13: 9780131090835
• ISBN10: 0131090836
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Summary

For one-semester, senior/graduate-level courses in Introduction to Policy Analysis, Fundamentals of Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Public Policy, Public Finance, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Government and Business. This introduction explores both the hows and whys of the practices of public policy. The text provides reality-based practical advice about how to actually conduct policy analysis and demonstrates the application of advanced analytic techniques.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	v	(1)
List of Tables	vi	(1)
Preface	vii	(1)
Acknowledgments	viii
PART I: INTRODUCTION	1	(57)
1 Preview: The Canadian Salmon Fishery	1	(26)
Increasing the Social Value of the B.C. Pacific Salmon Fishery	3	(23)
Postscript and Prologue	26	(1)
2 What is Policy Analysis?	27	(16)
Policy Analysis and Related Professions	28	(7)
Policy Analysis as a Profession	35	(4)
A Closer Look at Analytical Functions	39	(2)
Basic Preparation for Policy Analysis	41	(2)
3 Toward Professional Ethics	43	(15)
Analytical Roles	44	(3)
Value Conflicts	47	(9)
Ethical Code or Ethos?	56	(2)
PART II: CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS	58	(195)
4 Efficiency and the Idealized Competitive Model	58	(16)
The Efficiency Benchmark: The Competitive Economy	59	(2)
Market Efficiency: The Meaning of Social Surplus	61	(12)
Conclusion	73	(1)
5 Rationales for Public Policy: Market Failures	74	(42)
Public Goods	74	(20)
Externalities	94	(6)
Natural Monopoly	100	(7)
Information Asymmetry	107	(8)
Conclusion	115	(1)
6 Rationales for Public Policy: Other Limitations of the Competitive Framework	116	(18)
Thin Markets: Few Sellers or Few Buyers	116	(1)
The Source and Acceptability of Preferences	117	(4)
The Problem of Uncertainty	121	(5)
Intertemporal Allocation: Are Markets Myopic?	126	(4)
Adjustment Costs	130	(2)
Conclusion	132	(2)
7 Rationales for Public Policy: Distributional and Other Goals	134	(25)
Social Welfare beyond Pareto Efficiency	134	(7)
Substantive Values Other Than Efficiency	141	(5)
Instrumental Values	146	(4)
Some Cautions in Interpreting Distributional Consequences	150	(8)
Conclusion	158	(1)
8 Limits to Public Intervention: Government Failures	159	(37)
Problems Inherent in Direct Democracy	160	(6)
Problems Inherent in Representative Government	166	(17)
Problems Inherent in Bureaucratic Supply	183	(7)
Problems Inherent in Decentralization	190	(5)
Conclusion	195	(1)
9 Correcting Market and Government Failures: Generic Policies	196	(57)
Freeing, Facilitating, and Simulating Markets	197	(8)
Using Subsidies and Taxes to Alter Incentives	205	(17)
Establishing Rules	222	(13)
Supplying Goods through Nonmarket Mechanisms	235	(9)
Providing Insurance and Cushions	244	(8)
Conclusion	252	(1)
PART III: DOING POLICY ANALYSIS	253	(164)
Landing on Your Feet: How to Confront Policy Problems	253	(43)
Analyzing Yourself: Meta-Analysis	253	(2)
The client Orientation	255	(1)
Steps in the Rationalist Mode	256	(2)
Problem Analysis	258	(17)
Solution Analysis	275	(15)
Communicating Analysis	290	(4)
Meta-Analysis Once Again: Combining Linear and Nonlinear Approaches	294	(1)
Conclusion	295	(1)
Appendix 10A: Gathering Information for Policy Analysis	296	(15)
Document Research	297	(8)
Field Research	305	(3)
Putting Document Review and Field Research Together	308	(2)
The Most Important Component: Think!	310	(1)
Goals/Alternatives Matrices: Some Examples from CBO Studies	311	(20)
Setting Out Broad Options: Auctioning Radio Spectrum Licenses	312	(3)
Quantitive Predictions: Restructuring the Army	315	(5)
Comparing Proposed Alternatives: Launching Digital Television	320	(7)
Combining Policy Alternatives: Improving Water Allocation	327	(3)
Conclusion	330	(1)
12 Benefit-Cost Analysis	331	(51)
A Preview: Increasing Alcohol Taxes	332	(1)
Identifying Relevant Impacts	333	(2)
Monetizing Impacts	335	(16)
Discounting for Time and Risk	351	(10)
Choosing Among Policies	361	(3)
An Illustration: Taxing Alcohol to Save Lives	364	(14)
Conclusion	378	(1)
Appendix 12A: Measuring Consumer Surplus in the Presence of Income Effects	379	(3)
Thinking Strategically About Adoption and Implementation	382	(35)
The Adoption Phase	384	(12)
The Implementation Phase	396	(10)
Thinking More Strategically about Policy design	406	(10)
Conclusion	416	(1)
PART IV: DOING POLICY ANALYSIS IN ORGANIZATIONAL SETTINGS	417	(52)
14 Benefit-Cost Analysis in a Bureaucratic Setting: The Strategic Petroleum Reserve	417	(26)
Background: Energy Security and the SPR	418	(5)
Analytical Approaches to the Size Issue	423	(12)
The Role of Analysis in the SPR Size Controversy	435	(7)
Conclusion	442	(1)
When Statistics Count: Revising the Lead Standard for Gasoline	443	(26)
Background: The EPA Lead Standards	444	(2)
Origins of the 1985 Standards	446	(1)
Pulling the Pieces Together	447	(4)
A Closer Look at the Link between Gasoline Lead and Blood Lead	451	(13)
Finalizing the Rule	464	(3)
Conclusion	467	(2)
PART V: CONCLUSION	469	(2)
Doing Well and Doing Good	469	(2)
Name Index	471	(6)
Subject Index	477