Praeger Assessing Governmental Performance: An Analytical Framework: 310 (Contributions in Political Science)

This study provides an analytic framework---a theory of knowledge than identifies the kinds of structures and processes required for directing human action and the criteria for evaluating them. Eugene Meehan applies his theories empirically to the real world and provides normative approaches for his generalizations about governmental and individual policies. This theoretical study builds on his earlier works and is intended for political and social scientists and graduate students. The book opens with a description of the the author's theory of knowledgement, and then identifies how to fulfill empirical and normative requirements, and how to apply the critical apparatus to governmental actions. It examines the outlook for the future, the role of the university, and past performance. It calls for an agreed epistemological base, grounded in experience for critiquing governmental policy and behavior and improving it. Review "On the normative side, Meehan is not only very explicit, but is reassuringly on the side of the human race. . . . On the epistemological side, the study is equally praiseworthy. . . . This is an intelligent and wide-ranging essay, more reasonable and honest than most of the work in the field, . . . is quite original, and should help to move this important area of the social sciences ahead."-J. David Singer University of Michigan About the Author EUGENE J. MEEHAN is Curators Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is the author of many books, including Ethics for Policymaking: A Methodological Analysis (1990), Cognitive Education and Testing: A Methodological Approach (1991), Economic and Policymaking: The Tragic Illusion (1982), and Reasoned Argument in Social Science (1981), all published by Greenwood Press.