Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice (4th Edition) [Paperback]

David Weimer (Author), Aidan R. Vining (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0131830015 | ISBN-13: 978-0131830011 | Edition: 4

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An introduction to the practices of public policy -- and an examination of the conceptual foundation of their rationales. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

This introduction to both the hows and whys of the practices of public policy provides reality-based practical advice about how to actually conduct policy analysis and demonstrates the application of advanced analytic techniques. Covers such topics as Efficiency and the Idealized Competitive Model; Rationales for Public Policy (Market Failures, Other Limitations of the Competitive Framework, and Distributional and Other Goals); Limits to Public Intervention: Government Failures; Correcting Market and Government Failures: Generic Policies; How to Confront Policy Problems; Goals/Alternatives Matrices: Some Examples from CBO Studies; Benefit-Cost Analysis; Thinking Strategically About Adoption and Implementation; Benefit- Cost Analysis in Bureaucratic Settings: The Strategic Petroleum Reserve; When Statistics Count: Revising the Lead Standard for Gasoline. For anyone involved in Policy Analysis, Public Policy, Public Finance, Cost-Benefit Analysis. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (June 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131830015
• ISBN-13: 978-0131830011
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential book for anyone studying economics/public policy, January 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

I found this book by accident! And it saved my (academic) life, by giving me a clear, economics-grounded understanding of: -why markets fail -why governments fail too -what the alternatives are for correcting those failures (policy options) -how to do a cost/benefit analysis of the different policy options -how to structure a policy analysis -how to write it up and present it in a way that makes things happen.

Whether you work for an advocacy organization, a politician, a government agency, a corporation, or are simply interested in better understanding why governments intervene in the 'free market', this book will be a great help to you, too!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a well-organized introduction to policy studies, September 1, 1999

By 

tnterada "tnt" (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

Weimer's "Policy Analysis -3rd edition" provides a well-organized, widely-covered, and easily-understandable introduction to policy analysis. Although we have to seek for other materials for an in-depth analysis of some topics, the book helps us start with Public Policy, Policy Analysis, and even economic policies. This is especially good for undergraduate level, since this provides how to study, investigate, and write policy paper.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best texts in policy analysis, December 27, 2006

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Policy Analysis: Concepts and Practice (4th Edition) (Paperback)

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.