Political Innovation in America
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The Politics of Policy Initiation
Nelson W. Polsby
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Format: PaperPrice: $24.00
How are public policies initiated in American politics? Do they spring fully formed from the furrowed brow of the President? Are they the product of congressional committees? This pathbreaking book by Nelson Polsby looks for the first time at the process of political innovation. Drawing examples from foreign and domestic policy, Polsby examines the genesis of eight major new government initiatives: the Peace Corps, the Truman Doctrine, the Council of Economic Advisers, Medicare, Community Action Programs, the National Science Foundation, civilian, control of atomic energy, and the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Polsby has explored empirically the preconditions of political innovations, and he draws conclusions that have general applicability for the understanding of innovation in the American political system. His characteristically witty and stimulating book opens a third branch of inquiry in political science—on a coequal footing with the study of legislative enactment politics and the study of policy implementation.
“This book will have a significant impact in restoring the links between politics and public policy. It’s safe to say that our understanding of both of these subjects will never be the same again.”—Francis E. Rourke, The Johns Hopkins University
“An impressive feat. The book is good for the policy scholar and good for the classroom.”—Charles O. Jones, University of Virginia
"Fascinating reading. . . . Will excite other readers to speculate on the significance of [Polsby’s] work for broader issues – especially those of a constitutional nature, involving questions of fundamental democratic responsibility in an age of technological specialization."—Don K. Price, The New Republic
"Eight superbly concise and informative case studies."—William Schneider, New York Times Book Review
"Political Innovation in America is, as we have learned to expect of Nelson Polsby, a witty and instructive read."—Edwin M. Yoder, Jr., Washington Post
"Polsby’s work represents a significant advance that merits the careful attention of all those seriously interested in the American political process."—Harold M. Waller, Canadian Journal of Political Science
"Polsby’s analysis offers a framework that can be used to study other instances of policy initiation and opens a new area of inquiry for scholars and others concerned with political outcomes. Recommended."—Steven Puro, Library Journal
"The cases are insightful, well-written, and worth reading."—Barry Bozeman, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management
Publication Date: September 10, 1985
