Policy Problems and Policy Design

B. Guy Peters presents a critique of conventional policy design methods, placing emphasis on the need to formulate interconnecting designs for issues that cross multiple policy areas. He advocates the use of analytic categories for understanding problems rather than functional categories, such as defence and health, to change the perspective of problems and modernise policy design.

Whereas previous literature takes a top-down, technocratic approach, this new perspective emphasises the importance of context and the pressing need to unite designs between policy areas. Effective methods should be open and inclusive by reviewing a wider range of policy alternatives. Chapters discuss the logic of policy design, the different problems that can arise in policy and how to successfully link these issues with the correct policy instruments. Peters also provides a set of ten key principles that can be used to improve the technique of policy formulation for effective and realistic designs.

For any academic, researcher or student of public policy interested in the formulation of policy decisions, this book will be an essential tool for successful policy analysis. Current policy-makers and strategists will benefit from the in-depth discussion on tackling policy problems as well as improving and interconnecting policy designs.