University of Chicago Press Policy Dynamics

While governmental policies and institutions may remain more or less the same for years, they can also change suddenly and unpredictably in response to new political agendas and crises. What causes stability or change in the political system? What role do political institutions play in this process? To investigate these questions, Policy Dynamics draws on the most extensive data set yet compiled for public policy issues in the United States. Spanning the past half-century, these data make it possible to trace policies and legislation, public and media attention to them, and governmental decisions over time and across institutions. Some chapters analyze particular policy areas, such as health care, national security, and immigration, while others focus on institutional questions such as congressional procedures and agendas and the differing responses by Congress and the Supreme Court to new issues. Policy Dynamics presents a radical vision of how the federal government evolves in response to new challenges - and the research tools that others may use to critique or extend that vision. Review "Over the past decade or so, Baumgartner and Jones have gathered a remarkable data set that traces all policy issues receiving public attention at the national level during the post-World War II era. This data set is in itself a tremendous contribution to the study of American politics, and this stellar book will be a mainstay for scholars and for courses on American politics and policy." - Lawrence C. Dodd, author of Congress and the Administrative State From the Inside Flap While governmental policies and institutions may remain more or less stable for years, they can also change suddenly and unpredictably in response to new political agendas and crises. What causes stability or change in the political system? What role do political institutions play in this process? To investigate these questions, Policy Dynamics draws on the most extensive data set yet compiled for public policy issues in the United States. Spanning the past half-century, this data set makes it possible to trace policies and legislation, public and media attention to the issues involved, and governmental decisions over time and across institutions. Some chapters analyze particular policy areas, such as health care, national security, and immigration, while others focus on institutional questions, such as congressional procedures and agendas, and the differing responses by Congress and the Supreme Court to new issues. Policy Dynamics presents a radical vision of how the federal government evolves in response to new challenges-and provides the research tools that others may use to critique or extend that vision. From the Back Cover While governmental policies and institutions may remain more or less stable for years, they can also change suddenly and unpredictably in response to new political agendas and crises. What causes stability or change in the political system? What role do political institutions play in this process? To investigate these questions, Policy Dynamics draws on the most extensive data set yet compiled for public policy issues in the United States. Spanning the past half-century, this data set makes it possible to trace policies and legislation, public and media attention to the issues involved, and governmental decisions over time and across institutions. Some chapters analyze particular policy areas, such as health care, national security, and immigration, while others focus on institutional questions, such as congressional procedures and agendas, and the differing responses by Congress and the Supreme Court to new issues. Policy Dynamics presents a radical vision of how the federal government evolves in response to new challenges-and provides the research tools that others may use to critique or extend that vision. About the Author Frank R. Baumgartner is professor in and head of the political science depar