Agendas and instability in American politics
By: Frank R. Baumgartner, Bryan D. Jones.
Contributors: Jones, Bryan D.
Series: American politics and political economy series; American politics and political economy.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 1993
Place of publication: Chicago
Language: eng
Number of pages: 298
Subjects: Political planning -- United States; Policy sciences; United States -- Politics and government
Description: In this account of the way policy issues rise and fall on the national agenda--the first detailed study of so many issues over an extended period--Frank R. Baumgartner and Bryan D. Jones show that rapid change not only can but does happen in the hidebound institutions of government. Short-term, single-issue analyses of public policy, the authors contend, give a narrow and distorted view of public policy as the result of a cozy arrangement between politicians, interest groups, and the media. Baumgartner and Jones upset these notions by focusing on several issues--including civilian nuclear power, urban affairs, smoking, and auto safety--over a much longer period of time to reveal patterns of stability alternating with bursts of rapid, unpredictable change.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [277]-289) and index.