Theoretical Issues in Policy AnalysisWhat is the relation between policy analysis and political decision-making? Is the policy analyst a handmaiden of democracy or an agent of technocracy? Do recent debates in the policy literature illuminate or obfuscate these issues? What analytic techniques are available to resolve such questions? This study considers the nature of policy inquiry in detail and explores norms and theoretical assumptions seldom subjected to scrutiny. The author demonstrates how conceptual presuppositions and methodological commitments have constricted our understanding of political problems and so hindered prescriptions for viable policy options. Proposed here is an alternative framework for policy inquiry that is both pragmatic and sophisticated. Hawkesworth considers the implications of this alternative model in a series of case studies that addresses important foreign and domestic policy issues. The epistemic and practical criticisms presented in this study provide new direction for the field of policy studies. |
Contents
Introduction Unresolved Problems of an Unacknowledged Tradition | 1 |
Policy Analysis Images and Issues | 11 |
Separate Spheres On the Institutionalization of a Dichotomy | 36 |
The Fallacy of False Alternatives | 73 |
Identifying and Assessing Theoretical Presuppositions The Case of Affirmative Action | 95 |
Theoretical Presuppositions and the Problem of Explanation The Case of Kampuchea | 123 |
Theoretical Presuppositions and Policy Predictions The Case of Human Rights | 145 |
The Political Cast of Policy Presuppositions The Case of Workfare | 169 |
Science Scientism and Democracy A Return to the Theoretical Issues | 184 |
Notes | 195 |
| 265 | |
| 283 | |
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Common terms and phrases
affirmative action Alasdair MacIntyre alternative applied pluralist argued arguments assessment atomistic belief Cambodia capitalist Carter Doctrine CDSP chapter claims cognition commitments concerning contemporary context critical critique cultural Dallmayr debate decision-making democratic discipline discrimination discussion emotivism emotivist empirical realm empiricist ence Ethics explanation fact/value dichotomy facts and values freedom human rights hypothetico-deductive model Ibid icy analysis identify ideology individual issues Justice Kampuchea Khmer Rouge knowledge legitimate logic ment methodology moral nature normative policy analysis objective particular perception Philosophy policy analysis policy inquiry policy science policy studies Popper positivism positivist post-positivist Pravda prediction prescriptivism presupposition theories principles problem proponents Public Policy questions rational reason reverse discrimination revolutionary rhetoric role scientism scientists social science Soviet strategies suggest sustain systematic techniques theoretical assumptions theoretical constitution theoretical presuppositions theories of science tion tive tradition truth University Press vidual welfare women and minorities workfare York
References to this book
The Political Economy of Communication: Rethinking and Renewal Vincent Mosco No preview available - 1996 |
Reframing Public Policy: Discursive Politics and Deliberative Practices Frank Fischer Limited preview - 2003 |