American Public Policy: Promise and Performance, 7th Edition [Paperback]

Peters B (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1933116749 | ISBN-13: 978-1933116747 | Publication Date: December 13, 2006 | Edition: 7

In this seventh edition of his classic introduction to the process and content of public policy in America, B. Guy Peters provides the background and context needed for any introduction to the subject. Deftly handling such core topics as the governmental structures and procedures through which policy is designed and implemented, Peters also examines substantive policy areas--including health care, education, social security and welfare, energy and the environment, and defense and law enforcement--to give students a solid foundation as well as a real sense of the issues and tradeoffs facing today's policymakers.

Readers will appreciate the seventh edition's updated material on the George W. Bush administration along with cases and material drawn from recent events and scholarship. In addition to analysis of the impact of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, the continuing efforts to implement results-based legislation such as the "No Child Left Behind" policy, and an expanded discussion of the changing role of ideology, this revision also includes valuable new material on the defense budget, earmarking in the budgeting process, and the President's Tax Reform Commission. Showing students why such politically divisive issues as abortion, gay marriage, and school prayer are so unyielding to bargaining and compromise, Peters includes a unique and insightful chapter on social policy and the culture wars. Finally, updated graphics, tables, and charts throughout will ensure that readers have access to the latest data in the field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

B. Guy Peters is Maurice Falk Professor of American Government at the University of Pittsburgh. He has written extensively in the areas of public administration and public policy, both for the United States and comparatively. Among his recent publications are the Handbook of Public Administration and The Quest for Control: Politicization of the Public Service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 466 pages
• Publisher: CQ Press; 7 edition (December 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933116749
• ISBN-13: 978-1933116747
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Look at American Public Policy, February 24, 2006

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presypclhs (New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Public Policy: Promise and Performance (Paperback)

Guy Peter's "American Public Policy: Promise and Performance" provides an informed and unbiased look at the public policy process as well as a number of major policy issues in America today. It's perhaps not the most exciting read (the first few chapters are especially dull) but thats more the fault of the subject than the author. However, if you are inclined to learn more about how the policy that affects our lives every day comes to be, this is worth a read.

The chapters on tax policy, health care and education were particularly good. In all, the book features a discussion of the aforementioned issues, as well as economic policy, social security and welfare, environmental policy, energy policy, defense and law enforcement, and numerous social issues such as abortion. American Public Policy also features a detailed look at how policy is formulated, enacted and kept up, as well as how one analyzes the effects of a particular policy plan. Finally, the book provides a look at the two predominate forms of policy analysis and assessment: cost-benefit analysis and ethical analysis.

Overall, I wouldnt recommend this book for fun reading. However, if you are taking a course in American public policy, are looking to research a prominent public policy area, or just want to learn more about the American policy system, Guy Peter's "American Public Policy: Promise and Performance" is definitely a great place to start.

4.0 out of 5 stars Overall Very Good, June 17, 2011

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TwisterCricket - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Public Policy: Promise and Performance (Paperback)

I read this book for one of my public policy class. Peter's book summarizes the key issues in a lot of areas of public policy. The book provided a good history in different topics of interest and then provided a good summary of the key debates and controversies in those topics. I found myself constantly doing more research on topics that interested me. My one major complaint is that at points the book got very dry, but that's more a reflection of my inability to sit down for long than of the quality of the book.
My one minor complaint is a source he cited for the Energy and Environment chapter. He says on page 382, "Only about 10 percent of [toxic waste] is disposed of safely." If you look at the citation in the back, it is from a 1985 publication. Highly dated!
But overall, I'd say get this book because you'll learn a lot.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very bland and hard to get through, but concise, January 12, 2010

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turtlestampede (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: American Public Policy: Promise and Performance, 7th Edition (Paperback)

It's a very hard book to get through, but I'm not sure there is any way to make a public policy book better. It appears to cover everything at least on a basic introduction to public policy level.