Book Reviews : Policy Analysis in Political Science. Edited by IRA SHARKANSKY. (Chicago: Mark ham Publishing Co., 1970. Pp. 476, $9.50 cloth, $5.00 paper.) Public Administration: Policy-Making in Government Agencies. By IRA SHARKAN SKY. (Chicago: Markham Publishing Co., 1970. Pp. 307. $8.50.)

• Date: 01 December 1970
• Author: Sami Haj Jar
• Published date: 01 December 1970
• DOI: 10.1177/106591297002300418
• Subject Matter: Articles

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writings in the area of &dquo;black studies.&dquo; The book is, among other things, a history
of the terrible life endured by the Negro race in Trinidad and in the Americas.
ROBERT S. LORCH
University of Colorado
Policy Analysis in Political Science. Edited by IRA SHARKANSKY. (Chicago: Mark-
ham Publishing Co., 1970. Pp. 476, $9.50 cloth, $5.00 paper.)
Public Administration: Policy-Making in Government Agencies. By IRA SHARKAN-
SKY. (Chicago: Markham Publishing Co., 1970. Pp. 307. $8.50.)
Both of these books are intended by Sharkansky to be used as texts; Policy
Analysis as an upper division text, and Public Administration as an introductory
one. In both cases, the writer is his own best critic, realizing that the focus of his
books is exclusively on the United States and that the area of foreign policy, which
is particularly relevant in policy analysis, has been left out.
The introductory chapter of Policy Analysis is in essence an extended review
of the chapters to come. The articles for the book were carefully selected to fit
the current interest which focuses on &dquo;a primary concern with explanation rather
than prescription; sophisticated comparisons of the policies of different communi-
ties, states, or government agencies; the search for economic, social, and historical,
as well as political and governmental features to aid in understanding the policies
that governments choose; and an effort to accumulate research to build theories
about policy.&dquo; With no exception, all the articles subscribe to this concern placing
the book thus in the category of behavioral literature.
The book focuses on six major topics: basic conception in policy analysis; the
measurement of policy; determinants of public policy including the economy;
popular demands and political culture and, individual actors and institutions in
the policy process; and finally, evaluation of public policy. The reader will note
that although the various articles of the book seem to...