Includes bibliographical references and index.

Public policy : an introduction -- Contexts of public policy -- The economy : changing government-business relationships -- Economic issues : taxing, spending, and budgeting -- Energy and environmental policies : policy instability -- Crime and criminal justice : dilemmas of social control -- Poverty and social welfare policy -- Health care : historic change? -- Education : conflict in policy direction -- Legal and social equality : the struggle against oppression and bigotry -- Immigration policy : the barely open door -- Foreign and defense policy : security and interests in a dangerous world -- Private morality and public policy : moral values, the Constitution, and the open society

AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY: AN INTRODUCTION engages student interest through its unique emphasis on specific, substantive issues of public policy. This text draws students into American public policies by presenting their historical context, prompting students to evaluate and discuss possible alternatives. The discussion kindled by AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY: AN INTRODUCTION helps make public policy personal as students apply their knowledge to real-life policies. This new edition includes updated and expanded coverage on key policy issues: immigration, global climate change, health care reform, gay rights, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The authors present policy material step-by-step, building a picture of the existing policy that students can use to evaluate alternatives. Amazon.com