Voting and elections may often be cited as the most entertaining aspect of political theatre, however, it  is the arena of public policy that has the most direct impact on the lives of the citizenry. And as we have seen played out in recent debates over healthcare reform, policy changes can be dramatic, sweeping, and often hotly contested.

Known for providing a trusted and comprehensive overview of the policy process, B. Guy Peters returns with the ninth edition of American Public Policy: Promise and Performance. Beyond walking students through the governmental structures and policy-making procedures, Peters efficiently covers a wide swath of policy areas, and then concludes with a look at both cost-benefit analysis and ethical analysis.

Framed in context of the aftermath of the financial crisis and Great Recession, the ninth edition considers how policy has been impacted by persistent unemployment and growing income inequality. In addition, Peters discusses the strain on education budgets, increased oversight of financial activities, fiscal policies meant to stimulate the economy,  and the political challenge of balancing the budget in light of increased public spending.

Updates to the ninth edition include discussion of:

• the Affordable Care Act and important scene-setting on the contemporary politics of health care;
  the continuing economic crisis and attempts to develop new regulatory approaches to the financial markets;
• the Tea Party perspective on public spending;
• the politics of Social Security and the threats to numerous social programs in an era of restraint;
• the Obama administration’s changes to NCLB to allow for more flexibility in implementation and its Race to the Top Challenge Fund to encourage innovation in education;
• the increasing problems arising from declining funding for higher education and  increasing student debt; and
• gridlock in Washington and contemporary difficulties in making policy.

Updated tables and charts ensure students have access to the latest data in the field andew photos illustrate important points.

FEATURES & BENEFITS:

• Peters accessibly describes approaches to the policymaking process, including institutional, economic, constructivist, and stages models, along with concepts such as the advocacy coalition framework, bounded rationality, and instrumentalism.
• “Background” sections at the outset of each issue chapter provide valuable context for the reader.
• Chapter Summaries help students focus on key takeaways.

Updates to the ninth edition include discussion of:

• the Affordable Care Act and important scene-setting on the contemporary politics of health care;
  the continuing economic crisis and attempts to develop new regulatory approaches to the financial markets;
• the Tea Party perspective on public spending;
• the politics of Social Security and the threats to numerous social programs in an era of restraint;
• the Obama administration’s changes to NCLB to allow for more flexibility in implementation and its Race to the Top Challenge Fund to encourage innovation in education;
• the increasing problems arising from declining funding for higher education and increasing student debt; and
• gridlock in Washington and contemporary difficulties in making policy.

Updated tables and charts ensure students have access to the latest data in the field andew photos illustrate important points.

CQ Press is pleased to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Please email heoacompliance@cqpress.com for additional information that may be available. Be sure to include your name, contact information, academic affiliation, and the title, author, and edition of the book in question.

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Preface 

PART ONE THE NATURE OF PUBLIC POLICY

1. What Is Public Policy? 
2. The Structure of Policymaking in American Government 
3. Explaining Policy Choices 

PART TWO THE MAKING OF PUBLIC POLICY

4. Agenda Setting and Public Policy 
5. Legitimating Policy Choices 
6. Organizations and Implementation 
7. Budgeting: Allocation and Public Policy 
8. Evaluation and Policy Change 

PART THREE SUBSTANTIVE POLICY ISSUES

9. Economic Policy 
10. Tax Policy 
11. Health Care Policies 
12. Income Maintenance: Social Security and Welfare 
13. Education Policy 
14. Energy and the Environment 
15. Protective Policies: Defense and Law Enforcement 
16. Culture Wars in American Politics: Regulating Social Life 

PART FOUR ANALYZING PUBLIC POLICY

17. Policy Analysis: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Ethical Analysis

B. Guy Peters is Maurice Falk Professor of American Government at the University of Pittsburgh. He has written extensively in the areas of public administration and public policy, both for the United States and comparatively. Among his recent publications are the Handbook of Public Administration and The Quest for Control: Politicization of the Public Service.

http://www.cqpress.com/cs/peters/

Online student resources include a helpful companion website that features chapter summaries, review questions, and interactive quizzes.

Instructor's Resources available for adopters!

http://college.cqpress.com/instructors-resources/peters/

For adopters: PowerPoint lecture slides and a test bank with 650 questions, including multiple-choice, short answer, and essay.

American Public Policy, 9e + Issues for Debate in American Public Policy, 14e
Peters, CQ Researcher
ISBN: 978-1-4522-9077-5 Price: $102.00

American Public Policy, 9e + Collision Course
Peters, Manna
ISBN: 978-1-4522-9112-3 Price: $98

American Public Policy, 9e + Up in Smoke, 3e
Peters, Derthick
ISBN: 978-1-4522-9113-0 Price: $102

American Public Policy, 9e + Lobbying and Policymaking
Peters, Godwin, Godwin, Ainsworth
ISBN: 978-1-4522-7046-3 Price: $100.00