Incrementalism And Public Policy

Making sense of a complex topic, Incrementalism and Public Policy is a comprehensive overview of the best-known policy-making models--Lindblom's incrementalism, the Madisonian model, the responsible parties model, group theory, and the privileged position of business in capitalist societies--and a detailed discussion of the possibilities for nonincremental change. Divided into two parts, Part I highlights the major models of policy-making in chapter length assessments, while Part II develops two original typologies that identify the circumstances under which major policy change occurs. This work also systematically presents and analyzes competing theories of incrementalism and nonincrementalism in policy-making and features case studies of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the attempts of Presidents Nixon and Carter to enact comprehensive welfare reform legislation. Incrementalism and Public Policy is a useful guide for both undergraduate and graduate students of political science.

Michael T. Hayes (M.A. and Ph.D., Indiana University) is Professor of Political Science at Colgate University. His interests include group theory, incrementalism and policy making, and the effects of public opinion on the legislative process.