Policy Analysis And Public Choice: Selected Papers By William A. Niskanen (The Locke Institute Series) [Paperback]

William A. Niskanen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1845420926 | ISBN-13: 978-1845420925 | Publication Date: February 5, 2004

Policy Analysis and Public Choice is an important selection of articles written by William A. Niskanen over the last thirty years. The volume represents two quite different disciplines to which Niskanen has made a major contribution: policy analysis and public choice. It also includes his major essays on proprietary studies as well as many of his professional papers written for an academic audience. Part I details Niskanen's important contribution to policy analysis. The diverse topics discussed include: defence spending and resource allocation, trade policy, crime and drug policy, and welfare and the culture of poverty. Part II is concerned with public choice and political economy, in particular the liberal economic order, bureaucracy, democratic government and progressive taxation. The volume also includes an autobiographical summary focusing on the complementary nature of his work on policy analysis and public choice, and a number of commentaries that reflect Niskanen's unique professional background and perspective. Policy Analysis and Public Choice will be of special interest to those interested in public choice, public policy, political economy and political science.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'This volume has much to recommend it... the range and quality of the papers is just one gainful reason for reading the book. The second reason, and perhaps the more interesting one, is that the collection reveals the author's preferences regarding the work of his long and impressive career... Niskanen shows that he is as much concerned about rules of just conduct and constitutional constraints that assure a liberal order as he is about good economic analysis and the powerful insights offered by public choice. The papers demonstrate thoughtful appreciation of both the normative and positive aspects of public policy... Public choice scholars, anyone who appreciates strong policy analysis, and readers interested in political economy should put this book on their reading list... A stimulating book.' - Bruce Yandle, The Freeman, Ideas on Liberty"

About the Author

William A. Niskanen Jr., Chairman, Cato Institute, Washington, DC --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Edward Elgar Pub (February 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845420926
• ISBN-13: 978-1845420925
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,234,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars by Randall G. Holcombe, February 28, 2001

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The Independent Review, Winter 2001 (Oakland, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Policy Analysis and Public Choice: Selected Papers by William A. Niskanen (Hardcover)

William Niskanen's volume of selected papers showcases more than thirty selections from his previously published work, and the collection reveals him to be a thoughtful observer of contemporary government and an insightful public-policy analyst. Niskanen is best known for his 1971 book, Bureaucracy and Representative Government, which he wrote while working at the Institute of Defense Analysis....

Although Niskanen's analysis is insightful and thought-provoking on all of the various topics covered, the whole volume seems to have less value than the sum of its parts. The collection will make some of these papers easier to locate, if potential readers are aware that they have been reprinted here, but the chapters do not complement and support one another as did the chapters in Niskanen's earlier collection on bureaucracy, Bureaucracy and Public Economics (Aldershot, Eng.: Edward Elgar, 1994). If one is interested in any of the topics Niskanen discusses, his analysis is sure to shed light on the subject. The topics are so varied, however, and the methods of analysis so different, that the volume will have greatest value as a reference to be consulted on various topics, rather than as a book to be read from cover to cover.