Public Policy: Origins, Practice, and Analysis introduces students to the foundations and processes of policymaking with a primary focus on the United States within its broader historical and theoretical context. The textbook explores how ideas, institutions, and actors shape policy from its philosophical origins and constitutional development to modern issues of design, implementation, and evaluation. Drawing on classic and contemporary policy theories, the authors analyze how political culture, interest groups, and government structures influence outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels. Historical and comparative examples situate U.S. policymaking within global and democratic traditions. Each chapter includes key terms and discussion questions to promote critical analysis and real-world application. Public Policy provides a comprehensive introduction for students of political science, public administration, and policy analysis, emphasizing both conceptual understanding and analytical skill development.

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