For courses in Public Policy An introduction to public policy that helps students learn how to think critically about politics. Understanding Public Policy provides an introduction to the study of public policy, as well as an overview of the models that political scientists use to describe and explain political life. Offering students the tools needed to analyze public policy, author Thomas Dye highlights why governments pursue particular policies, and helps students understand the consequences of these policy choices. The fifteenth edition has been updated to reflect the key issues that have defined President Obama's second term, with plenty of examples drawn from the headlines to help students see how public policy affects their own lives. NOTE: This ISBN is for a Pearson Books a la Carte edition: a convenient, three-hole-punched, loose-leaf text. In addition to the flexibility offered by this format, Books a la Carte editions offer students great value, as they cost significantly less than a bound textbook.

This work concentrates on a variety of concepts and analytic models of politics which political scientists use to describe and explain such major public policy areas as civil rights, criminal justice, national defence, education, taxation and more.

The gold-standard for introductory public policy texts, Understanding Public Policy is designed to provide students with concrete tools for both understanding and analyzing public policy. The new fourteenth edition of Understanding Public Policy focuses on the policy challenges confronting the Obama administration. This edition provides students with a close up look at the American healthcare system, current economic policies, issues of homeland security and defense policy among many other current event and issues shaping public policy today. Teaching & Learning Experience Personalize Learning_MySearchLab, which delivers proven results in helping students succeed, provides engaging experiences that personalize learning, and comes from a trusted partner with educational expertise and a deep commitment to helping students and instructors achieve their goals. With a Pearson eText, multiple choice practice quizzes, flashcards, learning objectives and associated media, MySearchLab allows students to utilize what works best for them. Improve Skill Development and Application_ Pedagogical features including visual representations of concepts and theories give students an alternative means of understanding course content. Engage Students_ With a new four-color design, streamlined and updated coverage, and a vibrant new photo program, this edition engages students from the first page. Focusing on current events that students are experiencing in their everyday lives, this book challenges them to analyze the impact and results of policy-making in todayês world. ExploreExamples of Contemporary Public Policy- With special attention paid to the current economic state of our country and the Obama Administrationês recent impact on policy, students are presented with examples of the current events happening around them through the lens of public policy theories. Emphasize Learning Outcomes ã Clearly defined Learning Objectives for each chapter are provided in the MySearchLab. Additionally, students are provided with end-of-chapter summaries to assist with exam preparation and assignments. Understand Theory and Research ã Additional websites for further research and understanding have been included in the end-of-chapter material giving students a place to go for papers and assignments. The MySearchLab offers step-by-step tutorials offering overviews of the entire writing and research process, as well as quizzes for students to test and evaluate their understanding of course content. Support Instructors_ A strong supplements package includes MySearchLab for student studying, complete with chapter learning objectives, multiple choice quizzes, flashcards, and videos. Instructors also have access to an Instructorês Manual and Testbank, as well as PowerPoint slides.

The fully revised second edition of this textbook offers a comprehensive introduction to theories of public policy and policymaking. The policy process is complex: it contains hundreds of people and organisations from various levels and types of government, from agencies, quasi- and non-governmental organisations, interest groups and the private and voluntary sectors. This book sets out the major concepts and theories that are vital for making sense of the complexity of public policy, and explores how to combine their insights when seeking to explain the policy process. While a wide range of topics are covered – from multi-level governance and punctuated equilibrium theory to 'Multiple Streams' analysis and feminist institutionalism – this engaging text draws out the common themes among the variety of studies considered and tackles three key questions: what is the story of each theory (or multiple theories); what does policy theory tell us about issues like 'evidence based policymaking'; and how 'universal' are policy theories designed in the Global North? This book is the perfect companion for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying public policy, whether focussed on theory, analysis or the policy process, and it is essential reading for all those on MPP or MPM programmes. New to this Edition: - New sections on power, feminist institutionalism, the institutional analysis and development framework, the narrative policy framework, social construction and policy design - A consideration of policy studies in relation to the Global South in an updated concluding chapter - More coverage of policy formulation and tools, the psychology of policymaking and complexity theory - Engaging discussions of punctuated equilibrium, the advocacy coalition framework and multiple streams analysis

For courses in Public Policy An introduction to public policy that helps students learn how to think critically about politics. Understanding Public Policy provides an introduction to the study of public policy, as well as an overview of the models that political scientists use to describe and explain political life. Offering students the tools needed to analyze public policy, author Thomas Dye highlights why governments pursue particular policies, and helps students understand the consequences of these policy choices. The fifteenth edition has been updated to reflect the key issues that have defined President Obama s second term, with plenty of examples drawn from the headlines to help students see how public policy affects their own lives."

This edition features the exact same content as the traditional text in a convenient, three-hole- punched, loose-leaf version. Books à la Carte also offer a great value for your students–this format costs significantly less than a new textbook. Updated in a new 2nd edition, Understanding American Politics and Government provides students with a substantive foundation on the fundamentals of our government while enlisting them to become more discerning consumers of political information, better decision-makers and more effective citizens. Using a journalistic, example-rich narrative, this unique text schools students in the building blocks of good social science by distinguishing between the concepts of “correlation” and “causation.” *The Alternate version of this text does not contain the policy chapters found in the National version*

This edition features the exact same content as the traditional text in a convenient, three-hole- punched, loose-leaf version. Books à la Carte also offer a great value for your students--this format costs significantly less than a new textbook. Updated in a new 15th edition, Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, illustrates the impact that government has on the daily lives of each and every American, particularly its effect on students. Designed around the theme that "politics matters," this descriptive text emphasizes public policy -- what government actually does. It contains recent political developments and policy on the global economic recession and addresses President Barack Obama's impact on our current government.