Democracy and the Policy Sciences

By Peter Deleon

Examines how a more democratic, participatory policy analysis could be conceptualized in theory and administered in practice.

As originally proposed by Harold Lasswell, the policy sciences were dedicated to democratic governance. But today they are far removed from the democratic process and do little to promote the American democratic system. This book examines how in the context of American history and the development of the policy sciences, a more democratic, participatory policy analysis could be conceptualized in theory and administered in practice.

Peter deLeon argues that for the policy sciences to move toward democracy, they must accept a new analytic paradigm that draws heavily on critical thinking and the writing of post-positivism. To further that end, he presents a "minipopulist" procedure that will allow more citizen participation without hamstringing the processes of government.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0791435482
• ISBN13: 9780791435489
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 172 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

terrific overview of an important topic

deLeon's book on the democratic aspects of public policy making is a terrific overview of the political foundations of the American rule making process. It begins with a history of the constitutional heritage of policy making and it compares several important democratic theories and intellectual traditions (Utilitarianism, Liberal Rationalism, Critical Theory as well as a section on multidisciplinary approaches).It proceeds from there to make a substantial case for the postpositivist view of participatory policy making. This is one of the more readable and provocative books on the subject. I would recommend this as a springboard for discussion in both a political science and a public policy classroom setting.