Political economy for public policy / Ethan Bueno de Mesquita.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bueno de Mesquita, Ethan, 1974-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Policy sciences.

Political planning.

Economics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxii, 401 p.) : ill.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton Univ. P., 2016.

Summary:

This textbook uses modern political economy to introduce students of political science, government, economics, and public policy to the politics of the policymaking process. The book's distinct political economy approach has two virtues. By developing general principles for thinking about policymaking, it can be applied across a range of issue areas. It also unifies the policy curriculum, offering coherence to standard methods for teaching economics and statistics, and drawing connections between fields. The book begins by exploring the normative foundations of policymaking - political theory, social choice theory, and the Paretian and utilitarian underpinnings of policy analysis. It then introduces game theoretic models of social dilemmas - externalities, coordination problems, and commitment problems - that create opportunities for policy to improve social welfare. Finally, it shows how the political process creates technological and incentive constraints on government that shape policy outcomes. Throughout, concepts and models are illustrated and reinforced with discussions of empirical evidence and case studies. This textbook is essential for all students of public policy and for anyone interested in the most current methods influencing policymaking today. Comprehensive approach to politics and policy suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students; Models unify policy curriculum through methodological coherence; Exercises at the end of every chapter; Self-contained appendices cover necessary game theory; Extensive discussion of cases and applications.

Contents:

I. Normative Foundations

1. Normative Frameworks

2. Collective Goals

3. Pareto Concepts

Summing Up Normative Foundations

II. Social Dilemmas

4. Externalities

5. Coordination Problems

6. Commitment Problems

Summing Up Social Dilemmas

III. Constraints on Good Governance

7. Strategic Adjustment

8. Dynamic Inconsistency

9. The Need for Information

10. Influence over Elected Officials

11. Institutions, Incentives, and Power

Summing Up Constraints on Good Governance

Concluding Reflections on Politics and Policy

IV. Appendices on Game Theory

A. Utility, Strategic-Form Games, and Nash Equilibrium

B. Extensive-Form Games

Bibliography

Index of Referenced Authors

General Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 385-392) and index.

ISBN:

9781400883189

1400883180

OCLC:

953847935