In recent years the study of public policy has gained substantial currency and

popularity among political scientists. Many now indicate an interest or in-

volvement in such areas as policy studies, policy analysis, and comparative

public policy. Schools and programs in public policy have been established.

A Policy Studies Organization is thriving and new journals, such as Policy Sci-

ence, Policy Studies Journal, Policy Studies Review, and the Journal of Pol-

icy Analysis and Management, are available to those interested in policy

study.

In spite of all this interest in public policy, there is still no agreement on

what policy is, how it should be studied, or even whether it is a legitimate

concern for political scientists. Some still cling to the notion that process

rather than polk_T is the proper province of political scientists. Most stu-

dents--and it is for them that this book is intended---are not overly con-

cerned with such controversies. I see no good reason why political scientists

can not be concerned with both process and policy.

A policy approach to the study of politics is concerned with both. One

starts with a policy problem, for example, inflation, equal employment op-

portunity, or relations with the Soviet Union, and is then concerned with de-

termining what was done, how it was done, and to what effect. The roles of

institutions, processes, and political elements (for example, public opinion)

are all considered, as they help shape and determine what government does

or does not do concerning some problem.