Product Description
Since its debut, Policy Paradox has been widely acclaimed as the most accessible policy text available. Unlike most texts, which treat policy analysis and policy making as different enterprises, Policy Paradox demonstrates that "you can't take politics out of analysis." Through a uniquely rich and comprehensive model, this revised edition continues to show how real-world policy grows out of differing ideals, even definitions, of basic societal goals like security, equality, and liberty. The book also demonstrates how these ideals often conflict in policy implementation. In this revised edition, Stone has added a full-length case study as an appendix, taking up the issue of affirmative action. Clear, provocative, and engaging, Policy Paradox conveys the richness of public policy making and analysis.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 13 reviews)

A very well thought-out book. by 0spinBoson (Local Cluster)

5 Stars
January 27, 2010
This is a splendid book for trying to understand the interaction between different parts of the policy-making process. The emphasis put on ideal types in most textbooks is certainly nice from the idealist perspective, but even if you could eliminate personal gain considerations from the agenda of most political entities, it would still say very little about the actual dynamics of decision formation/issue framing, etc., while this book does that in spades. I wouldn't go so far as to call Stone the Machiavelli of the 21rst century, but she's certainly trying for an empirical turn. While I take issue with some of the normative statements/personal reflections she puts in the book (especially when it comes to the power/relevance of statistics, which she says she hopes will be of transient importance, and which just seems silly to me, as though she's confounding political uses of said things with actual uses they can be put to, given that people know how to interpret statements that contain 'facts'.. Although it does seem to be a feature of American politics that political people can safely choose to ignore any and all data in their considerations/deliberations without anyone reprimanding them for it; why everyone is allowed to invent his/her own truth is unclear to me, but it seems to me to come from some idiotic belief in 'relativism' and voter/media cynicism if anything. Anyway, continuing:) they're mostly minor quibbles that could easily be fixed in a new edition. On the whole I think this is a very useful book, though, especially for people who are hoping to gain some insight into the deliberative processes surrounding policy-making/setting. (Though it's probably not for people who can't look past the superficial shock value of the contents.)

If you want to make policy... by Wyman Spano

5 Stars
September 13, 2009
I'm the director of the Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) Program at University of Minnesota Duluth. Ours is a weekend program, aimed at young and not so young people who wish to learn how to change policy--in whatever direction they wish to see it changed. Policy Paradox is the first book our students study and it sets the tone for our program because it is both analytical and realistic. There's nothing else in the field quite like it. If you want your students to understand the reality of policy decision making, Policy Paradox is the book you want. If, on the other hand, you want them to learn how to build rational choice policy castles in the sky, you'll have to go elsewhere.

Loved it by L. Escudero (MA)

5 Stars
April 24, 2009
I read this book for a course and loved it. I will read and enjoy it again as soon as I have free time.

Extremely interesting & valid - very stimulating reading by Bruce_in_LA (los angeles, ca United States)

5 Stars
August 03, 2008
Very stimulating reading and very applicable in many kinds of negotiations & meetings, not just "policy making" as in government. Her thesis is the "most books" assume policy should be rational and analyze when it is not. She argues that policy is INTRINSICALLY a paradoxical, conflicting process where (to greatly simplify) some people see A and others see B and others see C no matter how much data and rationality are tossed about, and that is HER starting point for discussing "policy making." I found it very stimulating and see wide ranging applications in my work and even outside work for these ideas. It's a fairly long book and not to be skimmed so it defies easy summary.

good job by Pad (HI)

5 Stars
September 24, 2007
i received it in time and the book was well protected with card board. It was in very good condition. Good job !

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