Theories of the Policy Process, Second Edition [Paperback]

Paul A Sabatier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0813343593 | ISBN-13: 978-0813343594 | Edition: 2

Theories of the Policy Process provides a forum for the proponents of several of the most promising and widely used theoretical frameworks to present the basic propositions of their frameworks, to assess the empirical evidence that has developed, and to discuss promising directions for future research. The first edition contained analyses of Institutional Rational Choice (Ostrom), Multiple Streams (Zahariadis), Punctuated Equilibrium (Jones et al.), Advocacy Coalition Framework (Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith), and Policy Diffusion (Berry and Berry). The second edition revises these and adds new chapters on Social Construction and Policy Design (Schneider et al.) and Policy Networks (Adam and Kriesi). It also contains a much more serious analysis of the European literature relevant to each of the frameworks. Finally, the new edition contains a revised chapter by Edella Schlager, presenting a comparative analysis and evaluation of the relevant frameworks, and a concluding chapter by the editor suggesting a number of strategies for improving the state of theorizing in this field.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul A. Sabatier is political scientist and professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Davis. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; 2 edition (January 23, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813343593
• ISBN-13: 978-0813343594
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Current Events > Poverty > Social Services & Welfare
  • #23 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Federal Government
  • #32 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Public Policy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of an exciting field, September 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Theories Of The Policy Process (Theoretical Lenses on Public Policy) (Paperback)

Tired of trying to keep up with the pace in public policy research? Ta-da! Theories of the Policy Process offers some nice introductory essays on current public policy research, with a focus on (guess what...) theoretical developments. Each major theory is given a chapter of its own, written by distinguished scholars, often the actual parents of the theories. Among the theories covered are Institutional Rational Choice (by Ostrom), Multiple Streams and Garbage Can (by Zahariadis - not Kingdon), Advocacy Coalitions (by Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith) and Punctuated Equilibrium (by True, Baumgartner and Jones). The collection ends with a very good synthesizing chapter by Schlager, where the theories are compared and essential diffrences are higlighted.

This collection is extremely useful to get updated on the latest developments in Public Policy. Lots of good, fresh references, and very accessible and authoritative introductions to the field. Yet, since the collection does not offer anything substantially new, a fifth star is not motivated. Still a very good buy.

I would not recommend it for use in introductory public policy-courses, though. Too abstract and theoretical for that. This is for people already familiar with the field.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Standard work on theories of the policy process, June 5, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theories of the Policy Process, Second Edition (Paperback)

This edited work is now in its second edition. In that, it has updated its summary of theories to cover new approaches and deleted a couple chapters from the first edition that are no longer as useful for the analyst and student of public policy.

Interested in how an evolutionary theory of change among species, punctuated equilibrium, has any relevance for our understanding of policy? Then read the chapter by True, Baumgartner and Jones. What about the impact of chance and contingency on what issues gain access to the political agenda versus those that might not gain governmental discussion and consideration? Read the chapter on Kingdon's "multiple streams" theory, written in this volume by Zahariadis.

Ingram and Schneider (with deLeon) have added a chapter to this edition not in the prior one. Their theory of social construction and its effect on policy has become widely recognized in recent years and is included in this edition. Network organizations are increasingly viewed as critical structures in the delivery of services. The private sector, nonprofits, and the public sector collaborate within networks to achieve public goals. The chapter by Adam and Kriesi is new to this edition and a welcome addition.

And so on.

The work ends with a comparison of different theories (by Schlager) and a reflection on how to enhance development of policy theory (by the editor, Sabatier).

Any edited volume like this can be questioned for why certain items were included and others excluded. Edited volumes often end up lacking cohesion. However, this edited work does its subject justice and is a useful book for those with some background in policy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent grad-level text, July 6, 2009

By 

William H. Field - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Theories of the Policy Process, Second Edition (Paperback)

Sabatier's revised edition is even better than the first, since it corrects the Ameri-centric faults of that text and adds additional theoretical approaches.

The study of public policy formation is sadly lacking is quality texts that link theory to practice. This text DOES NOT do that. What it does, as I find, is provide a careful set of arguments for a wide variety of theories and frameworks that I've been able to use to make that connection. I'm considering using the text in my upper level Comparative Public Policy text, and am certainly using it as a foundation for the text I'm currently working on.

-William Field

Rutgers University