The Tools of Policy Formulation

The development of the policy analysis field has had at least two quite different trajectories. One started in the US, emphasizing the policy formulation stage, while the other developed largely in Europe, highlighting the implementation process. This volume indicates how the two paths have intersected. The thirteen chapters offer new insights to both groups and draw on a broad span of literatures to explore this topic, with contributions from nearly forty individuals across the globe. Its discussion of tools of policy formulation, as well as the analysis of actors, capacities, venues and effects, sets the structure for a future agenda.'

- Beryl Radin, McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, US'In this important collection, Andrew Jordan and John Turnpenny have thrown new light on an important and neglected topic: the tools needed to make more effective policies. Policymakers themselves have become ever more engaged in using these new analytical techniques and the service that this book performs is to foster a better understanding of them, showing the role of the broader political environment. The editors and contributing authors to this well-written and engaging book really have done an excellent job.'

- Peter John, University College London, UK

Policy analysts are accustomed to thinking in terms of tools and instruments. Yet an authoritative examination of the tools which have been developed to formulate new policies is missing. This book is the first of its kind to distinguish the defining characteristics of the main policy formulation tools, and offer a fresh way of understanding how, why and by whom they are selected, as well as the effects they produce in practice.

The editors bring together thirteen specially commissioned chapters that, for the first time, explore the tools and their features in a comparable fashion, including: scenarios, indicators, computerized models, cost-benefit and multi-criteria analysis. They develop a novel analytical framework for understanding the form and function of the main tools, which encompasses definitions of key terms, a typology and relevant theoretical explanations.

This book will appeal to postgraduate students, scholars and researchers of policy analysis, public policy, decision making and public management. It will also encourage developers and practitioners of policy formulation tools to reflect critically on their work.

Contributors: C. Adelle, G. Atkinson, S. Bartke, D. Benson, C. Boswell, T. Bournaris, D. Christopherson, E. Cuppen, B. Evans, C. Fleming, C.D. Gamper, M. Hisschemoller, M. Howlett, A.J. Jordan, P. Kautto, H. Kuittinen, L.E. Larsen, M. Lehtonen, R. Maas, W. Mcdowall, A. Migone, C. Moulogianni, M. Pérez-Soba, T. Rayner, E. Rodrigues, S.-R. Saarela, G. Spinardi, B. Sterk, S.L. Tan, P.Taylor, C. Turcanu, J. Turnpenny, P. Upham, M. Van Ittersum, S. Warghade, S. Weiland, A. Wellstead, S. Yearley