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4. Policy Analysis: An Introduction

Study

Chapter 4 examines the nature and purposes of public policy analysis (what it is and why it is useful), as well as the different approaches analysts use to study public problems. The goal is to provide skills on how to question the assumptions analysts make about their work, and to show how analysis is used to support political arguments. In addition, the chapter emphasizes the ubiquity of policy analysis today and its importance for making and implementing public policy. The chapter goes on to summarize the role of think tanks, which are highly influential in the policy-making process. Also highlighted are several key differences in their work; for example, the use of scientific, professional, and political approaches to policy analysis. The text touches upon some of the many choices analysts make in the conduct of their work, such as whether to focus on the root, or basic, causes of public problems or to make pragmatic adjustments in social conditions; whether to stress comprehensive analysis or to emphasize short-term policy relevance; and whether to favor rational analysis of problems or to try to foster democratic political processes. The chapter concludes with an overview of the major elements of policy analysis, from defining a problem to constructing and assessing alternative courses of action. This is an initial introduction to this process; the following two chapters review each of the steps in greater detail.