Political Theory and Public Policy

Some say that public policy can be made without the benefit of theorythat it emerges, instead, through trial-and-error. Others see genuine philosophical issues in public affairs but try to resolve them through fanciful examples. Both, argues Robert E. Goodin, are wrong. Goodina political scientist who is also an associate editor of Ethicsshows that empirical and ethical theory can and should guide policy. To be useful, however, these philosophical discussions of public affairs must draw upon actual policy experiences rather than contrived cases. Further, they must reflect the broader social consequences of policies rather than just the dilemmas of personal conscience. Effectively integrating the literatures of social science, policy science, and philosophy, Goodin provides a theoretically sophisticated yet empirically well-grounded analysis of public policies, the principles underlying them, the institutions shaping them, and the excuses offered for their failures. This analysis is enhanced by the author's discussion of such specific cases as the disposal of nuclear wastes and the priority accorded national defensecases that illustrate Goodin's theoretical and methodological framework for approaching policy issues.Goodin, Robert E. is the author of 'Political Theory and Public Policy' with ISBN 9780226302973 and ISBN 0226302970.