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Policy Making in Britain
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Policy Making in Britain
An Introduction

Second Edition


April 2014 | 344 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Introducing you to the public policy making process in Britain today, this book adopts an empirical approach to the study of policy making by relating theory to actual developments in Britain since the 1980s. It covers:
  • Ideas, Problem Definition, Issues and Agenda-Setting
  • Key Individuals
  • Key Institutions
  • Parliament and Public Policy Implementation
  • The shift from Government to Governance (including marketization, and devolution)
  • The increasing role of the private and voluntary sectors in policy delivery
  • Internationalisation and Europeanization of policies and policy making
  • Evaluation, audits and the New Public Management
Each chapter is enriched by recent real-life case studies and boxes illustrating key arguments, concepts and empirical developments. Taking into account the 2010 election and beyond, the book addresses current issues, developments and debates.

The result is a contemporary and engaging text that will be required reading for all students of British politics, public policy and public administration. 
 
Problem Definition and Policy Agendas
 
Policy Advocates: Political Parties, Think Tanks and Organized Interests
 
The Core Executive, Part One: The Individuals and their Policy Roles
 
The Core Executive, Part Two: The Institutions and the Policy Roles
 
Parliament and Public Policy
 
From Government to Governance
 
The Internationalization of Public Policy
 
Policy Implementation
 
Policy Evaluation

This is an important analysis of the systems of British politics and the pressures it faces. This book sets a clear course for the reader, and presents a range of political debates in a logical, concise, and highly readable manner.

Dr Andrew Crines
University of Leeds

Most of the key texts in this complex area of the discipline, including Dorey's first edition, are now well out of date. So the arrival of this carefully updated, eminently concise yet highly readable second edition from Peter Dorey is greatly to be welcomed.

Professor Bill Jones
Liverpool Hope University

Combining a judicious discussion of theoretical perspectives with a masterly analysis of empirical evidence, Policy Making in Britain has been a key resource for serious students of UK politics since its first appearance in 2006. The new edition covers subsequent developments, updates the guidance on further reading and provides very useful questions for group discussion. Professor Dorey deserves gratitude from those who teach the subject, as well as undergraduates and postgraduates - not least for presenting invaluable information in such an accessible style.

Dr Mark Garnett
Lancaster University

This new and substantially revised edition of Policy Making in Britain provides an excellent introduction to the key ideas, individuals, institutions and vested interests that seek to define and control the political and policy agenda in Britain today. For students, particularly those with no previous knowledge of the subject, there is, quite simply, no better place to start

Dr Andrew Denham
University of Nottingham

Peter Dorey has, once again, produced a fine piece of work which takes the readers through both the theory and practice of public policy making in the UK. From the clearly introduced chapters, to the questions for reflection and additional reading for scholars and students, Dorey has provided the discipline with the essential 'core' introductory text book in public policy that should be on every course reading list.

Dr. Cathy Gormley Heenan
University of Ulster

A useful book for students new to policy. Well written and easy to read. Well recommended.

Mrs Ruth Margaret Baxter
Education, University Centre Blackburn
December 6, 2018

Informative and easy to read. Supports students with sociology and social policy units.
Answers a lot of questions regarding how policies inform laws, and how ideas are used to develop policy.

Mrs Rachael Wilson
Education , Tyne Metropolitan College
September 1, 2016

brilliant reading for students to start off the social policy unit.

Mrs Mel Aubrey
Health , Newcastle-under-Lyme College
February 10, 2016

Contemporary material provided in an accessible format.

Not specific enough in relation to educational policy, to be acore reader, but providees keen insights into the wider political and policy making picture to provide a sound base.

Ms Dionne Ross
Faculty of Education and Society, Sunderland University
June 25, 2015

Limited sources available for students to cope with

Professor Lisheng Dong
Government Policy and Public Administration, Chinese Academy of Sciences
May 28, 2015
Key features

New to the Second Edition of Policy Making in Britain:

  • Updated to account for changes in British politics since the 2010 election
  • More of an emphasis on theory
  • More content on devolution and Europe, particularly in the new chapter 7 'The Internationalization of Policy'
  • A chapter on 'Policy Evaluation', covering the role of audits, evidence-based policy making and pilot schemes.
  • Updated to account for changes in British politics since the 2010 election
  • More of an emphasis on theory
  • More content on devolution and Europe, particularly in the new chapter 7 'The Internationalization of Policy'
  • A chapter on 'Policy Evaluation', covering the role of audits, evidence-based policy making and pilot schemes.

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781849208482
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