Principles of Public Policy Practice

This text was written with policy makers, concerned citizens, and students of public policy in mind. Striving to avoid technical language, the author introduces a new paradigm that starts from the commonality of human nature and the assumption that public policy should be impartial. Rather than playing the interests of one group versus those of another, he argues that public policy should aim at enhancing the "ex ante" welfare for everyone if everyone did not know the position or the identity one would assume. Usi ng this conceptual device of the representative individual, the analysis readily leads to policy implications that are both reasonable and concrete in diverse areas ranging from health care and crime and punishment to macroeconomic and financial market stability. The book concludes with a chapter summarizing the various principles of public policy practice that will meet the challenges of the new millennium. These principles should be of interest to academics in social sciences who are studying public policy, political economy, international financial systems, and capital markets, and also to practitioners, including public policy makers, consultants, advisers, administrators, and public service trade unions.