Making policy in theory and practice
Edited by Hugh Bochel and Sue Duncan
Published
Oct 17, 2007Page count
264 pagesISBN
978-1861349033Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Oct 17, 2007Page count
304 pagesISBN
978-1861349040Dimensions
240 x 172 mmImprint
Policy Press
Making policy in theory and practice
This unique book combines both academic and practitioner perspectives to provide critical consideration of contemporary policy-making and highlight examples of good practice at all levels of government.
In Professional Policy Making for the Twenty-First Century the Cabinet Office's Strategic Policy Making Team identified nine 'competencies' as the key features of 'modern policy making': forward-looking; outward-looking; innovative, flexible and creative; evidence-based; inclusive; joined-up; open to review; open to evaluation; and capable of learning lessons.
Using these to structure the book, nine central chapters - each written by a pair of co-authors, one primarily an academic, and the other primarily a policy maker or practitioner - examine the competencies in turn. Accompanying case studies provide lessons or pointers to good practice, together with guidance on how to access further information.
Set in the context of New Labour's emphasis on 'modernisation', and reflecting the growing emphasis on policy making as a skill, the book will appeal to a range of audiences, including undergraduate and postgraduate students on courses that draw upon approaches to public administration and public policy, and social researchers, policy officers and others involved in the development and analysis of policy making at all tiers of government.
"Up-to-date, applied and theoretical. A 'real world' approach, relevent and 'student-friendly'." Deborah Holman, Anglia Ruskin University
"This book will become a key text in the field. The editors are to be congratulated for assembling an authoritative range of contributors and adopting a unique approach to the subject which blends academic and practitioner perspectives." Professor Robert Pyper, Professor of Government and Public Management, Head of Division of Public Policy, Caledonian Business School
"With fascinating insights into actual events and what shaped them, the book avoids the stereotypical dry text book approach." SRA News, 2008.
"This book is a valuable review of progress in improving and professionalising policy making in government and represents in itself an exemplary collaboration between academics and practitioners." Eleanor Goodison, National School of Government
PYPER' S TESTIMONIAL IN REVIEWS
Hugh Bochel is Professor of Public Policy at the University of Lincoln.
Sue Duncan is the Government's Chief Social Researcher and head of the Government Social Research Service, based in HM Treasury.
Introduction ~ Hugh Bochel and Sue Duncan; Forward-looking policy making ~ Hugh Bochel and Louise Shaxson; Outward-looking policy making ~ Edward C. Page and Jane Mark-Lawson; Innovative, flexible and creative policy making ~ Andrew Massey and Jamie Rentoul; Evidence-based policy making ~ Martin Bulmer, Elizabeth Coates and Louise Dominian; Inclusive policy making ~ Catherine Bochel and Angela Evans; Joined-up policy making ~ Richard Parry with Marion Kerr; Policy review ~ Martin Powell and Warwick Maynard; Policy evaluation ~ Robert Walker and Sue Duncan; Learns lessons from policy experience ~ John Hudson; Conclusions ~ Hugh Bochel and Sue Duncan.
