Policy Press
One Policy analysis in the United States
Abstract
Four demands have driven the development of policy analysis in the U.S. First, reformers have sought evidence to support their efforts. Beginning with the municipal bureaus of the Progressive Era, advocacy groups have sought supportive policy analysis, resulting in the proliferation of ideologically differentiated think tanks that produce policy research. Second, politicians have recognized the need for specialized expertise to address pressing problems. Operations research grew out of efforts to solve problems facing the U.S. in World War II and led to subsequent efforts to improve bureaucratic decision-making capacity. Third, the growing scope and complexity of government have led to a demand for information to support routine decision processes. Fiscal offices support state budgeting and the Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional Research Service support the routine business of Congress. Fourth, politicians have sought to discipline their own (and especially others’) future actions by mandating that analyses be applied to certain classes of decisions. Legislative requirements that the Army Corps of Engineers consider the benefits of investment projects were introduced at the beginning of the last century, legislative requirements for the completion of environmental impact statements were imposed in 1970, and beginning in 1981, executive orders have required cost-benefit analyses be completed for major agency rulemakings. Higher education has responded to these demands by supplying persons trained specifically in policy analysis.
Abstract
Four demands have driven the development of policy analysis in the U.S. First, reformers have sought evidence to support their efforts. Beginning with the municipal bureaus of the Progressive Era, advocacy groups have sought supportive policy analysis, resulting in the proliferation of ideologically differentiated think tanks that produce policy research. Second, politicians have recognized the need for specialized expertise to address pressing problems. Operations research grew out of efforts to solve problems facing the U.S. in World War II and led to subsequent efforts to improve bureaucratic decision-making capacity. Third, the growing scope and complexity of government have led to a demand for information to support routine decision processes. Fiscal offices support state budgeting and the Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional Research Service support the routine business of Congress. Fourth, politicians have sought to discipline their own (and especially others’) future actions by mandating that analyses be applied to certain classes of decisions. Legislative requirements that the Army Corps of Engineers consider the benefits of investment projects were introduced at the beginning of the last century, legislative requirements for the completion of environmental impact statements were imposed in 1970, and beginning in 1981, executive orders have required cost-benefit analyses be completed for major agency rulemakings. Higher education has responded to these demands by supplying persons trained specifically in policy analysis.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- Notes on contributors viii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles, and methods of policy analysis in the United States
- Policy analysis in the United States 9
- The evolution of the policy analysis profession in the United States 31
- The argumentative turn in public policy inquiry: deliberative policy analysis for usable advice 55
- Reflections on 50 years of policy advice in the United States 73
-
Policy analysis by governments
- The practice and promise of policy analysis and program evaluation to improve decision making within the U.S. federal government 93
- Policy analysis in the states 113
- Policy analysis and evidence-based decision making at the local level 131
- Committees and legislatures 153
-
Policy analysis outside of government
- Policy advisory committees: an operational view 173
- Public opinion and public policy in the United States 183
- Political parties and policy analysis 205
- Policy analysis by corporations and trade associations 223
- Policy analysis and the nonprofit sector 245
- The media 265
- Think tanks and policy analysis 281
-
Policy analysis education and impact internationally
- Public policy education in the United States 297
- The status of the profession: the role of PhD and masters programs in public policy education 319
- The influence of policy analysis in the United States on the international experience 339
- Index 353
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of tables and figures vii
- Notes on contributors viii
- Editors’ introduction to the series xiv
- Introduction 1
-
History, styles, and methods of policy analysis in the United States
- Policy analysis in the United States 9
- The evolution of the policy analysis profession in the United States 31
- The argumentative turn in public policy inquiry: deliberative policy analysis for usable advice 55
- Reflections on 50 years of policy advice in the United States 73
-
Policy analysis by governments
- The practice and promise of policy analysis and program evaluation to improve decision making within the U.S. federal government 93
- Policy analysis in the states 113
- Policy analysis and evidence-based decision making at the local level 131
- Committees and legislatures 153
-
Policy analysis outside of government
- Policy advisory committees: an operational view 173
- Public opinion and public policy in the United States 183
- Political parties and policy analysis 205
- Policy analysis by corporations and trade associations 223
- Policy analysis and the nonprofit sector 245
- The media 265
- Think tanks and policy analysis 281
-
Policy analysis education and impact internationally
- Public policy education in the United States 297
- The status of the profession: the role of PhD and masters programs in public policy education 319
- The influence of policy analysis in the United States on the international experience 339
- Index 353
