May 1, 2024
Updated May 9, 2025
19 minute read
Public policy is the broad term for the laws, regulations, actions, and decisions that governments at all levels – local, national, and international – implement to address societal issues and achieve specific goals. It's the mechanism through which societies attempt to solve problems, allocate resources, and shape their collective future. This field touches nearly every facet of our lives, from the quality of our schools and healthcare to the safety of our food and the state of our environment.
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Find a path to becoming a Public Policy. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/5k9fta/public
Reading list
We've selected nine books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Public Policy.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of public policy, with chapters on a wide range of topics, from theoretical foundations to specific policy areas.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the public policy process, from agenda-setting to implementation and evaluation. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides a practical guide to policy analysis, with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct a policy analysis. It valuable resource for students and practitioners alike.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between public policy and the economy, focusing on the impact of policies on economic growth, inflation, and unemployment.
Provides a historical and sociological analysis of the welfare state in the United States, focusing on the role of political and economic factors in shaping welfare policy.
Takes a decision-centric approach to public policy analysis, helping readers to understand how decisions are made and how to evaluate their effectiveness.
Provides a detailed analysis of five successful public policy initiatives, offering lessons for how to design and implement effective policies.
Provides a detailed analysis of the impact of the internet on public policy, focusing on issues such as privacy, intellectual property, and telecommunications regulation.
Provides a historical analysis of social welfare policy in the United States, focusing on the role of paradigms in shaping policy outcomes.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/5k9fta/public