American Public Policy: Promise and Performance

by B. Guy Peters

Book Overview

Voting and elections may often be cited as the most entertaining aspect of political theatre, however, it is the arena of public policy that has the most direct impact on the lives of the citizenry. And as we have seen played out in recent debates over healthcare reform, policy changes can be dramatic, sweeping, and often hotly contested.

Known for providing a trusted and comprehensive overview of the policy process, B. Guy Peters returns...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1452218714
• ISBN13: 9781452218717
• Release Date: October 2012
• Publisher: CQ Press
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very bland and hard to get through, but concise

It's a very hard book to get through, but I'm not sure there is any way to make a public policy book better. It appears to cover everything at least on a basic introduction to public policy level.

A Good Look at American Public Policy

Guy Peter's "American Public Policy: Promise and Performance" provides an informed and unbiased look at the public policy process as well as a number of major policy issues in America today. It's perhaps not the most exciting read (the first few chapters are especially dull) but thats more the fault of the subject than the author. However, if you are inclined to learn more about how the policy that affects our lives every day comes to be, this is worth a read. The chapters on tax policy, health care and education were particularly good. In all, the book features a discussion of the aforementioned issues, as well as economic policy, social security and welfare, environmental policy, energy policy, defense and law enforcement, and numerous social issues such as abortion. American Public Policy also features a detailed look at how policy is formulated, enacted and kept up, as well as how one analyzes the effects of a particular policy plan. Finally, the book provides a look at the two predominate forms of policy analysis and assessment: cost-benefit analysis and ethical analysis. Overall, I wouldnt recommend this book for fun reading. However, if you are taking a course in American public policy, are looking to research a prominent public policy area, or just want to learn more about the American policy system, Guy Peter's "American Public Policy: Promise and Performance" is definitely a great place to start.