Policy Analysis by Design

by Davis B. Bobrow, John S. Dryzek

Policy Analysis by Design examines the approaches to public policy taken by those who try to teach it, write about it, and influence it through major analysis.  Bobrow and Dryzek systematically compare the five major contending analytical frames of reference: welfare economics, public choice, social structure, information processing, and political philosophy.  The workings of each frame are illustrated by means of a common, if imaginary, policy case - air pollution in the hypothetical Smoke Valley.

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 1987

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear, this was essential for knowledge related to the development of the policy design arena, but, WOW, did I really need to read 200 pages about welfare economics, public choice, information processing, social structure, political philosophy, etc. just to be told in the final chapter to make sure to address values and context in policy design, and, oh yeah, choose an appropriate approach? Bold the authors were not. What did they really think? It probably remains a mystery.