Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practice [Paperback]

Michael C. Munger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393973999 | ISBN-13: 978-0393973990 | Publication Date: August 2000 | Edition: 1

This readable and comprehensive introduction to the principles of public-policy analysis is the first book to integrate the tools students need to analyze policies with the common sense they need to understand how real policies are made.

Analyzing Policy not only helps students learn the conceptual foundations of policy analysis, but it also empowers them to apply what they learn and to engage in their own analysis.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael C. Munger is an associate professor of political science at Duke University. Professor Munger has also served as a policy analyst for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., and as president of the Public Choice Society from 1996–1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393973999
• ISBN-13: 978-0393973990
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing Public Policy, May 15, 2002

By 

John M. King "open_minder" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practice (Paperback)

As a student in introductory policy analysis, I fully enjoyed the author's approach to policy. Without an extensive background in economics or political science, the text was still quite manageable because it flowed. It gives enough background info in order to better understand concepts without being a long text. Entertaining, witty, and thorough throughout, the professor I know as a brilliant man who worked for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, enlightens with great precision. Blending a little history of economic and political theory with a skillful modern twist, this is introductory public policy analysis at its best. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to policy analysis, May 20, 2008

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practice (Paperback)

Every so often, I have taught graduate (and even undergraduate) courses in policy analysis. While I have never assigned this book, it is commonly on my "short list" of possible texts. Thus, I obviously think that this book does its job well.

Michael Munger begins by laying out the questions that policy analysis tries to answer (Page xi): "First, what would be the best thing to do? Second, what is the best result that can actually be achieved?" He notes that this book tries to address those two central questions. He also observes that humans have only, in his view, a limited number of options for organizing human activity--including policy decisions: the market, leadership by authority (whether due to knowledge, power, repression, etc.), and democracy (somehow the people, whether directly or indirectly, affect government decisions). A bit simplistic in my view, but not a bad starting point.

The book explores a number of key issues. At the outset he discusses the nature of the profession of policy analysis, how we decide, and the role of markets. For many policy analysts, economic analysis, focusing on the market and whether or not it can deliver services on its own. When markets fail, so gores the logic, government steps in to set things right (e.g., if a monopoly abuses its powerful position). Also considered is how regulation does (and sometimes does not) work. One nice contribution is a reasonably transparent and understandable discussion of a basic tool of policy analysis, cost-benefit analysis.

Anyhow, this is a useful textbook. It can also be a nice resource for those who are not students, but who have some knowledge of the subject matter and an interest in gaining a more in depth understanding of the approach.

0 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Condition, January 31, 2009

By 

Rey (TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practice (Paperback)

The book was in perfect condition. This was the best price I could find out of seven other sites for new and used books.