Political Theory and Public Policy by Robert E Goodin

Political Theory and Public Policy by Robert E Goodin

Some say that public policy can be made without the benefit of theory—that it emerges, instead, through trial-and-error. Others see genuine philosophical issues in public affairs but try to resolve them through fanciful examples. Both, argues Robert E. Goodin, are wrong.

Goodin—a political scientist who is also an associate editor of Ethics—shows that empirical and ethical theory can and should guide policy. To be useful, however, these philosophical discussions of public affairs must draw upon actual policy experiences rather than contrived cases. Further, they must reflect the broader social consequences of policies rather than just the dilemmas of personal conscience.

Effectively integrating the literatures of social science, policy science, and philosophy, Goodin provides a theoretically sophisticated yet empirically well-grounded analysis of public policies, the principles underlying them, the institutions shaping them, and the excuses offered for their failures. This analysis is enhanced by the author's discussion of such specific cases as the disposal of nuclear wastes and the priority accorded national defense—cases that illustrate Goodin's theoretical and methodological framework for approaching policy issues.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780226302973
ISBN 10	0226302970
Title	Political Theory and Public Policy
Author	Robert E Goodin
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	The University of Chicago Press
Year published	1983-11-15
Number of pages	296
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.