What do you think?
Rate this book
Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice
This book both introduces and explores the hows and whys of the practices of public policy. It provides reality-based practical advice about how to actually conduct policy analysis and demonstrate the application of advanced analytic techniques. A five-part organization emphasizes that policy analysis is client-oriented and raises ethical issues; provides rationales for public policy— describing the limitations to effective public policy and generic policy solutions; gives practical advice about implementing policy analysis; presents several examples illustrating how analysts have approached policy problems and the differences that their efforts have made; and summarizes the role and work of the analyst and challenges the analyst to both “do-well and do-good.” For individuals interested in policy analysis and the analytical process.
528 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1988
32 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 20, 2009
For what it is, this is a terrific book. However, this isn't a "quick read," done for pleasure. This is one of the best works on policy analysis around. And it does not "dumb down" for the reader.
The book begins with a simple example of policy analysis (including the use of the authors' template to select which policy or policies might be best). The remainder of the first part of the book focuses on the nature of policy analysis and professional ethics.
The second part is a critical portion of the book. It begins by noting the idealized market model. The authors go on to obvserve, though, that market failure can take place (they describe the various forms of market failure in depth) and then government intervention in the market becomes a realistic option. Of course, there can also be government failure, a concept discussed in depth.
Part III represents an examination of mechanisms available to correct both market and government failure (simulating markets, taxes and subsidies, insurance, etc.). Part IV provides tools for doing policy analysis. Part V considers some case studies as illustrations of policy analysis in action (e.g., the strategic petroleum reserve and revising the lead standard in gasoline). The final brief segment emphasizes the importance for the policy analyst of both doing well and doing good.
This is not an easy read, especially if you are not "up" on your command of economics. But it ends up being a very satisfying book, providing entree to the world of policy analysis. Indeed, I think highly enough of this volume that I have routinely used it as a textbook in the graduate classes in policy analysis that I have taught.
The book begins with a simple example of policy analysis (including the use of the authors' template to select which policy or policies might be best). The remainder of the first part of the book focuses on the nature of policy analysis and professional ethics.
The second part is a critical portion of the book. It begins by noting the idealized market model. The authors go on to obvserve, though, that market failure can take place (they describe the various forms of market failure in depth) and then government intervention in the market becomes a realistic option. Of course, there can also be government failure, a concept discussed in depth.
Part III represents an examination of mechanisms available to correct both market and government failure (simulating markets, taxes and subsidies, insurance, etc.). Part IV provides tools for doing policy analysis. Part V considers some case studies as illustrations of policy analysis in action (e.g., the strategic petroleum reserve and revising the lead standard in gasoline). The final brief segment emphasizes the importance for the policy analyst of both doing well and doing good.
This is not an easy read, especially if you are not "up" on your command of economics. But it ends up being a very satisfying book, providing entree to the world of policy analysis. Indeed, I think highly enough of this volume that I have routinely used it as a textbook in the graduate classes in policy analysis that I have taught.
February 11, 2012
A classical approach to policy analysis that relies heavily on economic analysis. A very dry text, but one that does set out many of the most common rationales used in policy analysis. If you do not have an economics background--and I don't--you will probably find yourself re-reading some paragraphs many times over in order to grasp the gist of an argument. I appreciate that the author is producing an advanced treatment, but I sure could have used a few more examples or use of "layman's terms" to help me understand more esoteric concepts.
I read this book in conjunction with Deborah Stone's Policy Paradox, which is an excellent pairing, as Stone undercuts some of the assumptions in Weimer effectively, and paints a less deterministic picture of our policy choices.
I read this book in conjunction with Deborah Stone's Policy Paradox, which is an excellent pairing, as Stone undercuts some of the assumptions in Weimer effectively, and paints a less deterministic picture of our policy choices.
September 19, 2007
quite useful to understand the delivery of public policies
January 27, 2022
I read the 6th edition of this book for a uni course and I can recommend that, if you have the chance, don't read the entirety of this book. Instead use it as a platform of reference. It does fantastically at explaining key concepts (although in a rather dry way) and it also gives you a good idea about how to do policy analysis. However, as a whole, the book is very long and covers every possible detail you may ever need.
April 28, 2020
high quality textbook, accessible for beginners. However, it’s a bit theoretical and could benefit from more examples
September 19, 2025
Definitely my favorite policy analysis textbook to date, and the one I plan on teaching from
January 10, 2010
This is one of the very best textbooks in the study of policy analysis.
The first part of the book sets the context. It provides a neat case study of the Canadian salmon fishery to give an example of basic policy analysis. Following this are chapters on the nature of policy analysis and the professional ethics related to the endeavor.
One of the most important elements of this book is the next section--the economics of policy analysis. The text discusses the logic of economics, why government intervention through making policy can make economic sense under certain conditions, and the danger of "government failure" (when governmernt actions may work against good economic sense).
The following section focuses on the variety of policy options available to government to address problems. Some "solutions" are market-based; others include regulations and taxes. The volume goes on to explore techniques such as cost-benefit analysis. Two case studies of policy analysis round out the substantive chapters. The last chapter focuses on the responsibility of policy analysts to both "do well" and to "do good."
Not an easy read, but a book that provides the basic underpinnings for understanding policy analysis--and how to do policy analysis.
The first part of the book sets the context. It provides a neat case study of the Canadian salmon fishery to give an example of basic policy analysis. Following this are chapters on the nature of policy analysis and the professional ethics related to the endeavor.
One of the most important elements of this book is the next section--the economics of policy analysis. The text discusses the logic of economics, why government intervention through making policy can make economic sense under certain conditions, and the danger of "government failure" (when governmernt actions may work against good economic sense).
The following section focuses on the variety of policy options available to government to address problems. Some "solutions" are market-based; others include regulations and taxes. The volume goes on to explore techniques such as cost-benefit analysis. Two case studies of policy analysis round out the substantive chapters. The last chapter focuses on the responsibility of policy analysts to both "do well" and to "do good."
Not an easy read, but a book that provides the basic underpinnings for understanding policy analysis--and how to do policy analysis.
June 25, 2009
Explores market failure, government failure, and their possible solutions. (ECON 4163 - good times.)
Read
October 10, 2013320.6 W4229p 2011
April 1, 2008
ok, so I technically haven't even cracked this book so far this semester...shhhh...this weekend...
Read
March 15, 2017DNF
it's a long story, inefficient explanation, multi meaning sentences, for short I am glad that I don't have to read this book anymore.
it's a long story, inefficient explanation, multi meaning sentences, for short I am glad that I don't have to read this book anymore.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews