Description

Features

How do you show the causes and consequences of public policy?

Unlike any other public policy textbook, Understanding Public Policy introduces students to the principal analytic models of political science, and uses these models to explain the cause and consequences of public policies in key areas. The analytic models employed are the institutional model, the process model, the rational model, the incremental model, the group model, the elite model, the public choice model, and the game theory model. It acknowledges that most public policies are a combination of rational planning, incrementalism, competition among groups, elite preferences, public choice, governmental processes, and institutional influences. It employs these models, both singly and in combination to describe and explain substantive public policies.

How do you introduce your students to policy concerns in a variety of substantive areas?

Attention is given to the processes of policymaking as well as current policy issues in eleven substantive areas–Using the various analytic models, describes and explains public policy in such areas as criminal justice, health and welfare, education, economic policy, taxation, international trade and immigration, environmental protection, civil rights, federalism, national defense, and Homeland Security. This exposes students to public policy in a variety of key domestic policy areas and encourages them to utilize these conceptual models in political science to explain the causes and consequences of public policies in these areas.

 

Clarity and balance in the description of public policies. This ensures that students fully understand the covered policies.

How do you show public policy at work today?

Up-to-date coverage encourages students to consider the causes and consequences of recent policies.

• The controversial policies initiated to fight the war on terrorism. The war in Iraq receives the most critical coverage; policy mistakes were acknowledged by the Bush Administration and they are described in the chapter on Defense Policy. The Patriot Act was renewed with very few changes, and the President acknowledged wire-tapping international phone calls without a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which had been established for this purpose. The restructuring of the intelligence community and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security are given special attention.
  • A challenging "What went wrong in Iraq?" section describes the strengths and weaknesses of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's military strategies and decisions in Iraq.
• The important policies enacted during the Bush Administration's first term, including the No Child Left Behind Act (mandating pupil testing), the Medicare Modernization Act (adding prescription drug coverage to Medicare), and tax reform (lowering the top marginal rate from 39.6 percent to 35 percent).
• Immigration reform. Bush proposed more border security along with a regularized system for integrating the 10 to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Yet, debate over this controversial issue continues. It remains to be seen whether any legislation will improve on the failed Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• The lack of policymaking established during Bush's second term. Deficit spending spiraled virtually out of control. The national dept reached $9 trillion; annual federal deficits of $400 billion or more became common. Trade deficits grew exponentially. No new civil rights bills were proposed or passed, nor was there any new significant environmental legislation. Bush's proposal to reform Social Security fell on deaf ears in the Congress and the American public.
• New members of the U. S. Supreme Court. Two new members were appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court, but it is not clear whether any major changes in constitutional interpretation are imminent.
• Diversity in higher education. Diversity in higher education was recognized to be "a compelling government interest," yet race was rejected as the sole criteria for admission.

How do you approach the study of politics?

Thomas R. Dye approaches politics as conflict: the struggle for power. Politics is never dull, and this textbook reflects this with an engaging writing style and a coverage of controversial issues that is both direct and fair. Some of the issues covered are affirmative action, "diversity" and higher education, abortion and privacy rights, the death penalty, Social Security reform, welfare reform, access to health care, failures in educational attainment, religion in public education, "entitlement" spending and government deficits, special interests distorting tax laws, the effects of international trade on America's unskilled workers, battles over immigration, global warming, the future of nuclear power, and the struggle for gender equality.

New To This Edition

Up-to-date coverage encourages students to consider the causes and consequences of recent policies.

• The controversial policies initiated to fight the war on terrorism. The war in Iraq receives the most critical coverage; policy mistakes were acknowledged by the Bush Administration and they are described in the chapter on Defense Policy. The Patriot Act was renewed with very few changes, and the President acknowledged wire-tapping international phone calls without a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which had been established for this purpose. The restructuring of the intelligence community and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security are given special attention.
  • A challenging "What went wrong in Iraq?" section describes the strengths and weaknesses of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's military strategies and decisions in Iraq.
• The important policies enacted during the Bush Administration's first term, including the No Child Left Behind Act (mandating pupil testing), the Medicare Modernization Act (adding prescription drug coverage to Medicare), and tax reform (lowering the top marginal rate from 39.6 percent to 35 percent).
• Immigration reform. Bush proposed more border security along with a regularized system for integrating the 10 to 12 million illegal immigrants in the country. Yet, debate over this controversial issue continues. It remains to be seen whether any legislation will improve on the failed Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• The lack of policymaking established during Bush's second term. Deficit spending spiraled virtually out of control. The national dept reached $9 trillion; annual federal deficits of $400 billion or more became common. Trade deficits grew exponentially. No new civil rights bills were proposed or passed, nor was there any new significant environmental legislation. Bush's proposal to reform Social Security fell on deaf ears in the Congress and the American public.
• New members of the U. S. Supreme Court. Two new members were appointed to the U. S. Supreme Court, but it is not clear whether any major changes in constitutional interpretation are imminent.
• Diversity in higher education. Diversity in higher education was recognized to be "a compelling government interest," yet race was rejected as the sole criteria for admission.

Table of Contents

 1. Policy Analysis: What Governments Do, Why They Do It, and What Difference it Makes.


 2. Models of Politics: Some Help in Thinking about Public Policy.


 3. The Policymaking Process: Decision-Making Activities.


 4. Criminal Justice: Rationality and Irrationality in Public Policy.


 5. Health and Welfare: The Search for Rational Strategies.


 6. Education: The Group Struggle.


 7. Economic Policy: Incrementalism at Work.


 8. Tax Policy: Battling the Special Interests.


 9. International Trade and Immigration: Elite-Mass Conflict.


10. Environmental Policy: Externalities and Interests.


11. Civil Rights: Elite and Mass Interaction.


12. American Federalism: Institutional Arrangements and Public Policy.


13. Defense Policy: Strategies for Serious Games.


14. Homeland Security: Terrorism and Non-Deterable Threats.


15. Policy Evaluation: Finding Out What Happens after a Law Is Passed.


Index.

Courses

Public Policy  (Political Science)
Public Policy-Making  (Political Science)

Next Edition(s)

• Understanding Public Policy, 14/E
  Dye
  ©2013  |  Longman  |  Paper; 384 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205238823  |  ISBN-13: 9780205238828
  Suggested retail price: $116.80  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $87.60  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  The gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide students with concrete tools for both understanding and analyzing public policy.

   

  The new fourteenth edition of Understanding Public Policy focuses on the policy challenges confronting the Obama administration. This edition provides students with a close up look at the American healthcare system, current economic policies, issues of homeland security and defense policy among many other current event and issues shaping public policy today.

   

  Teaching & Learning Experience

  • Personalize Learning–MySearchLab, which delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. With a Pearson eText, multiple choice practice quizzes, flashcards, learning objectives and associated media, MySearchLab allows students to utilize what works best for them.
  • Improve Skill Development and Application– Pedagogical features including visual representations of concepts and theories give students an alternative means of understanding course content.
  • Engage Students– With a new four-color design, streamlined and updated coverage, and a vibrant new photo program, this edition engages students from the first page. Focusing on current events that students are experiencing in their everyday lives, this book challenges them to analyze the impact and results of policy-making in today’s world.    
  • Explore Examples of Contemporary Public Policy- With special attention paid to the current economic state of our country and the Obama Administration’s recent impact on policy, students are presented with examples of the current events happening around them through the lens of public policy theories.  
  • Emphasize Learning Outcomes — Clearly defined Learning Objectives for each chapter are provided in the MySearchLab. Additionally, students are provided with end-of-chapter summaries to assist with exam preparation and assignments.
  • Understand Theory and Research — Additional websites for further research and understanding have been included in the end-of-chapter material giving students a place to go for papers and assignments. The MySearchLab offers step-by-step tutorials offering overviews of the entire writing and research process, as well as quizzes for students to test and evaluate their understanding of course content.
  • Support Instructors– A strong supplements package includes MySearchLab for student studying, complete with chapter learning objectives, multiple choice quizzes, flashcards, and videos. Instructors also have access to an Instructor’s Manual and Testbank, as well as PowerPoint slides. 

   

  More Info
  

• Understanding Public Policy, 14/E
  Dye
  ©2013  |  Longman  |  Paper; 384 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205238823  |  ISBN-13: 9780205238828
  Suggested retail price: $116.80  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $87.60  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  The gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide students with concrete tools for both understanding and analyzing public policy.

   

  The new fourteenth edition of Understanding Public Policy focuses on the policy challenges confronting the Obama administration. This edition provides students with a close up look at the American healthcare system, current economic policies, issues of homeland security and defense policy among many other current event and issues shaping public policy today.

   

  Teaching & Learning Experience

  • Personalize Learning–MySearchLab, which delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. With a Pearson eText, multiple choice practice quizzes, flashcards, learning objectives and associated media, MySearchLab allows students to utilize what works best for them.
  • Improve Skill Development and Application– Pedagogical features including visual representations of concepts and theories give students an alternative means of understanding course content.
  • Engage Students– With a new four-color design, streamlined and updated coverage, and a vibrant new photo program, this edition engages students from the first page. Focusing on current events that students are experiencing in their everyday lives, this book challenges them to analyze the impact and results of policy-making in today’s world.    
  • Explore Examples of Contemporary Public Policy- With special attention paid to the current economic state of our country and the Obama Administration’s recent impact on policy, students are presented with examples of the current events happening around them through the lens of public policy theories.  
  • Emphasize Learning Outcomes — Clearly defined Learning Objectives for each chapter are provided in the MySearchLab. Additionally, students are provided with end-of-chapter summaries to assist with exam preparation and assignments.
  • Understand Theory and Research — Additional websites for further research and understanding have been included in the end-of-chapter material giving students a place to go for papers and assignments. The MySearchLab offers step-by-step tutorials offering overviews of the entire writing and research process, as well as quizzes for students to test and evaluate their understanding of course content.
  • Support Instructors– A strong supplements package includes MySearchLab for student studying, complete with chapter learning objectives, multiple choice quizzes, flashcards, and videos. Instructors also have access to an Instructor’s Manual and Testbank, as well as PowerPoint slides. 

   

  More Info
  

• Understanding Public Policy, 13/E
  Dye
  ©2011  |  Longman  |  Cloth; 368 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205757421  |  ISBN-13: 9780205757428
  Suggested retail price: $116.80  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $87.60  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  For undergraduate-level courses in Public Policy.

   

  The gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide students with concrete tools for not only understanding public policy in general, but for analyzing specific public policies. This new edition focuses on the many policy changes initiated by President Barack Obama, with special attention given to the economic policies addressing the global financial crisis.

  More Info
  

• Understanding Public Policy, 14/E
  Dye
  ©2013  |  Longman  |  Paper; 384 pp  |  Instock
  ISBN-10: 0205238823  |  ISBN-13: 9780205238828
  Suggested retail price: $116.80  Buy from myPearsonStoreNet price: $87.60  (What's this?)Brief Description  | 

  

  The gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide students with concrete tools for both understanding and analyzing public policy.

   

  The new fourteenth edition of Understanding Public Policy focuses on the policy challenges confronting the Obama administration. This edition provides students with a close up look at the American healthcare system, current economic policies, issues of homeland security and defense policy among many other current event and issues shaping public policy today.

   

  Teaching & Learning Experience

  • Personalize Learning–MySearchLab, which delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. With a Pearson eText, multiple choice practice quizzes, flashcards, learning objectives and associated media, MySearchLab allows students to utilize what works best for them.
  • Improve Skill Development and Application– Pedagogical features including visual representations of concepts and theories give students an alternative means of understanding course content.
  • Engage Students– With a new four-color design, streamlined and updated coverage, and a vibrant new photo program, this edition engages students from the first page. Focusing on current events that students are experiencing in their everyday lives, this book challenges them to analyze the impact and results of policy-making in today’s world.    
  • Explore Examples of Contemporary Public Policy- With special attention paid to the current economic state of our country and the Obama Administration’s recent impact on policy, students are presented with examples of the current events happening around them through the lens of public policy theories.  
  • Emphasize Learning Outcomes — Clearly defined Learning Objectives for each chapter are provided in the MySearchLab. Additionally, students are provided with end-of-chapter summaries to assist with exam preparation and assignments.
  • Understand Theory and Research — Additional websites for further research and understanding have been included in the end-of-chapter material giving students a place to go for papers and assignments. The MySearchLab offers step-by-step tutorials offering overviews of the entire writing and research process, as well as quizzes for students to test and evaluate their understanding of course content.
  • Support Instructors– A strong supplements package includes MySearchLab for student studying, complete with chapter learning objectives, multiple choice quizzes, flashcards, and videos. Instructors also have access to an Instructor’s Manual and Testbank, as well as PowerPoint slides. 

   

  More Info
  

Author Bios

Formerly Professor of Government at Florida State University, Thomas Dye is President of the Lincoln Center for Public Service. He was University Teacher of the Year in 1987. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Dye is the author of numerous books and articles on American government and public policy. He has served as president of the Southern Political Science Association, president of the Policy Studies Organization, and secretary of the American Political Science Association. Additional information is available at www.thomasrdye.com.

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• Understanding Public Policy, CourseSmart eTextbook, 12/E
  Dye
  ©2008  |  Longman  |  Electronic Book; 368 pp  |  Available
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