Routledge Public Policy in the United States: Challenges, Opportunities, and Changes

Offering the widest breadth of policy issue coverage on the market, the sixth edition of this well-regarded text covers events through the 2016 elections and beyond. Though the content has been extensively and thoughtfully revised and updated, the sixth edition maintains its clear approach, without an overreliance on policy theory, and popular threefold structure: First, it introduces readers to the American approach to public policy making as it has been shaped by our political institutions, changing circumstances, and ideology. Second, it surveys all of the major policy areas from foreign policy to health care policy to environmental policy, and does so with well-selected illustrations, case studies, terms, and study questions. Third, it provides readers with analytical tools and frameworks to examine current problems and be able to understand and critique proposed public policy solutions. New to the sixth edition is an exploration of: The Affordable Care Act and its implementation, controversies, and impact The American economy since the end of the Great Recession, trade policy, and economic equality issues Foreign policy including relations with Russia, China, and Iran, as well as the civil war in Syria, the continuing conflicts in Iraq, and the challenge of ISIS The US Criminal Justice system and its incarceration challenges as well as issues of minorities, police, and crime. This new edition includes, for the first time, a test bank with multiple choice, short answer, and discussion/essay questions as well as an instructor’s manual. Public Policy in the United States, 6e is an ideal undergraduate text for introductory courses on American Public Policy and Politics, and can be used as supplementary reading in undergraduate courses on policy process, policy analysis, and American government. Review "This book is an excellent addition to the introductory public policy curriculum. It contains enough policy theory to ground students in the subject, while its topical chapters will stimulate interest and inspire classroom debate and discussion." – Thomas Birkland, North Carolina State University, USA "It is rare that a text introduces the policy process as well as the history of specific policies in the United States. Rushefsky does both successfully, and students at the graduate and undergraduate level can use the policy analysis approach as the foundation for their work in public administration." – Christine A. James, Valdosta State University, USA About the Author Mark E. Rushefsky is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Missouri State University, USA.