Policy Analysis in the United States

"This collection offers a unique and valuable set of perspectives on the history of policy analysis, changes in the field over recent decades, and current challenges facing practitioners." Michael E. Kraft, Emeritus Professor, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

John A. Hird is Dean of the College of Social & Behavoral Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy. The founding director of the Center for Public Policy and Administration, his research focuses on the use of expertise in public policymaking.

IIntroduction ~ John A. Hird

Part One: History, styles, and methods of policy analysis in the United States

Policy analysis in the United States ~ David Weimer

The evolution of the policy analysis profession in the United States ~ Beryl A. Radin

The argumentative turn in public policy inquiry: deliberative policy analysis for usable advice ~ Frank Fischer

Reflections on 50 years of policy advice in the United States ~ Laurence E. Lynn, Jr.

Part Two: Policy analysis by governments

The practice and promise of policy analysis and program evaluation to improve decision making within the U.S. Federal Government ~ Rebecca A. Maynard

Policy analysis in the states ~ Gary VanLandingham

Policy analysis and evidence-based decision making at the local level ~ Karen Mossberger, David Swindell, Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst, and Kuang-Ting Tai;

Committees and legislatures ~ Philip Joyce

Part Three: Policy analysis outside of government

Policy advisory committees: an operational view ~ Michael Holland and Julia Lane

Public opinion and public policy in the United States ~ Saundra K. Schneider and William G. Jacoby

Political parties and policy analysis ~ Zachary Albert and Raymond J. La Raja

Policy analysis by corporations and trade associations ~ Erik Godwin, Kenneth Godwin, and Scott Ainsworth

Policy analysis and the nonprofit sector ~ Steven Rathgeb Smith

The media ~ Annelise Russell and Maxwell McCombs

Think tanks and policy analysis ~ Andrew Rich

Part Four: Policy analysis education and impact internationally

Public policy education in the United States ~ Michael O’Hare

The status of the profession: the role of PhD And Masters programs in public policy education ~ Nadia Rubaii

The influence of policy analysis in the United States on the international experience ~ B. Guy Peters