Philosophy Thomas Aquinas Cl

by C.F.J. Martin

The field called policy analysis emerged from the availability of new analytic techniques following World War II, largely in the field of economics. It focused originally on the formulation of new policies and was structured to give advice to those in the top reaches of government agencies, but within several decades the field bore little resemblance to the original elite cadre of staff found in the U.S. federal government. Policy analysts moved beyond the formulation stage of the policy process (creating new policies) to agenda setting, implementation and evaluation of existing policies. New skill sets emerged, and staff were found in legislative settings, interest groups, think tanks, and other parts of the policy world. Despite these changes, there has been little self consciousness in the field about the possible shifts that may have occurred in the relationship between analysts and clients, and students of policy analysis often enter the world of work with little exposure to the situations they might face. Policy Analysis in the Twenty-First Century is designed to familiarize students with the diversity of experiences that they can expect to face in their practitioner role.Author Beryl Radin bases the discussion on case studies that illustrate realities in the current policy analysis environment. Set in very different environments, including both US and international experiences, analysts are equally divided by gender and illustrate three different stages of a career (beginning the career, mid-career, and people at the end of their career). The cases are based on reality and demonstrate the volatility and complexity of the decision environments. At the same time, they provide attention to the analysts' personal values and career goals. This book will be required reading for faculty and masters level students in both public management and policy analysis classes. It may also be used in executive programs.

201 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 1988

Reviews

[Allen]

Just an organized and accessible presentation of Aquinas' basic ideas in his texts.

This is the layout:

1. intro to reading the philosophy of Aquinas:
2. Aquinas on Logic: Predication and Future Contingents
3. Aquinas on Metaphysics: Existence, Existence and Substance, Substance, Matter and Form
4. Aquinas on God: The existence of God
5. Aquinas on Truth, Knoweldge, and the Mind: Truth, Thought and Intellect, The immortality of the soul
6. Aquinas on Ethics: Free will, Human well-being