AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY: AN INTRODUCTION engages students with a unique emphasis on specific, substantive issues of public policy. It also kindles discussion that helps make the subject matter personal as students apply their knowledge to real-life policies. The authors present policy material step-by-step-explaining each policy's historical context, building a picture of the existing policy, and prompting students to evaluate and discuss possible alternatives. This new edition includes updated and expanded coverage on key policy issues, including immigration, unemployment insurance, gun control, and the Affordable Care Act.

1. Public Policy: An Introduction.
2. Contexts of Public Policy.
3. The Economy: Changing Government-Business Relationships.
4. Economic Issues: Taxing, Spending, and Budgeting.
5. Energy and Environmental Policies: Policy Instability.
6. Crime and Criminal Justice: Dilemmas of Social Control.
7. Poverty and Social Welfare Policy.
8. Health Care: Historic Change?
9. Education: Conflict in Policy Direction.
10. Legal and Social Equality: The Struggle Against Oppression and Bigotry.
11. Immigration Policy: The Barely Open Door.
12. Foreign Defense Policy: Security and Interests in a Dangerous World.
13. Private Morality and Public Policy: Moral Values, the Constitution, and the Open Society.

AMERICAN PUBLIC POLICY: AN INTRODUCTION engages students with a unique emphasis on specific, substantive issues of public policy. It also kindles discussion that helps make the subject matter personal as students apply their knowledge to real-life policies. The authors present policy material step-by-step-explaining each policy's historical context, building a picture of the existing policy, and prompting students to evaluate and discuss possible alternatives. This new edition includes updated and expanded coverage on key policy issues, including immigration, unemployment insurance, gun control, and the Affordable Care Act. Policy issues and decisions have been updated throughout the book to provide the most up-to-date information possible. In response to reviewers' suggestions, this edition has been pared to remove unnecessary detail and make the content more accessible for students. The authors worked diligently to ensure that all of the material included has a reason to be included. The authors stress that the substance of policies should be evaluated through examination of current issues. For ease of use and comparison, each chapter follows the same outline (issue background, contemporary policy, policy evaluation, and future alternatives). Each chapter ends with notes and a list of suggested books and websites. Tables and graphs give factual information at a glance, helping students evaluate the need for and success of the policies being examined. The book emphasizes national policy and national policy debate without neglecting policy at the state and local levels.