Theories Of The Policy Process

By (author) Weible, Christopher M; By (author) Sabatier Paul
Short description/annotation
A comprehensive primer to the major theoretical frameworks used in policy process research written by leading public policy scholars.
Description
Since the first edition published in 1999 with editor Paul Sabatier, Theories of the Policy Process has served as the quintessential gateway to the field of policy process research for students, scholars and practitioners alike. This enduring and well-regarded volume provides a forum for the creators of, or scholars with deep expertise in, the most established and widely used theoretical frameworks to present the basic propositions, empirical evidence, latest updates, and promising directions for future research. This brief but comprehensive volume covers such classics as Multiple Streams (Zahariadis), Punctuated Equilibrium (Jones et al), Advocacy Coalition Framework (Jenkins-Smith et al.), Institutional Analysis and Development Framework (Ostrom et al.), Policy Diffusion (Berry & Berry), and Social Construction and Policy Design (Schneider et al). This thoroughly updated third edition, with new editor Christopher M. Weible, includes a new introduction on the trajectories and needs of public policy research and two new chapters, Policy Feedback (Mettler and SoRelle) and Narrative Policy Framework (McBeth et al). A revised chapter presents a comparative analysis and evaluation of the frameworks included in this edition (Cairney & Heikkila), and a new conclusion looks at future directions and emerging areas in the field.
Review quote
Praise for the third edition: "I have found this book to be particularly useful for exposing students to the major theories in the field. Each chapter breaks a particular theory down into a fairly concise manner. Theories of the Policy Process provides students with a working knowledge of a theory that really assists in their eventual mastery of the theory in subsequent readings. I have found this approach to significantly enhance and improve students'' ability to understand the original texts the chapters are based upon." --Alesha Doan, University of Kansas "This is without question the best book on the theories of the policy process. There are many policy textbooks out there, but none that engage with contemporary theories of the process in such a comprehensive way." --Robert S. Wood, University of North Dakota Praise for prior editions: "This sophisticated primer will have much appeal for those who subscribe to policy models that put boundedly rational individuals at the centre of their analyses. Its attractiveness lies in its elaboration as well as critique of these approaches." --Canadian Journal of Political Science "Theories of the Policy Process is an excellent...state-of-the-art volume: the less we consider it as the ''qualifying round'' for future public policy theory, the more we will learn from it." --ECPR News
Biographical note
Paul A. Sabatier was political scientist and professor of environmental studies at the University of California, Davis.Christopher M. Weible is associate professor at the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. He is the editor for the Policy Studies Journal, one of the leading journals featuring theoretically innovative research in public policy.