Public Policy Making: Process and Principles » (2nd Edition)

Gerston (San Jose State U.) presents an undergraduate-textbook on the origins, formation, and implementation of public policy in the United States. Over the course of seven chapters he discusses the institutional context of public policy, triggering mechanisms of policy initiatives, the "public agenda" as a barometer of issues that have reached the attention of policy makers, the roles of policy makers, implementation, and evaluation. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Preface to the Third Edition

Chapter 1 The Context of Public Policy 3

Chapter 2 Triggering Mechanisms: Catalysts for Public Policies 22

Chapter 3 The Public Agenda: Focal Point for Policy Decisions 48

Chapter 4 The Policy Makers: Roles and Realities 70

Chapter 5 Implementation: Converting Policy Commitments into Practice 90

Chapter 6 Evaluation: Assessments and Directions 112

Chapter 7 Public Policy Making in an Evolutionary Context 127

Notes 135

Index 151

About the Author 161