Revised edition of the author's An introduction to the policy process, 2010.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface -- Introducing the policy process -- Elements of the policy making system -- The historical and structural contexts of public policy making -- Official actors and their roles in public policy -- Unofficial actors and their roles in public policy -- Agenda setting, power, and interest groups -- Policies and policy types -- Decision making and policy analysis -- Policy design and policy tools -- Policy implementation, failure, and learning -- Science and theory in the study of public policy -- Index.