Most of the key texts in this complex area of the discipline, including Dorey's first edition, are now well out of date. So the arrival of this carefully updated, eminently concise yet highly readable second edition from Peter Dorey is greatly to be welcomed.
Combining a judicious discussion of theoretical perspectives with a masterly analysis of empirical evidence, Policy Making in Britain has been a key resource for serious students of UK politics since its first appearance in 2006. The new edition covers subsequent developments, updates the guidance on further reading and provides very useful questions for group discussion. Professor Dorey deserves gratitude from those who teach the subject, as well as undergraduates and postgraduates - not least for presenting invaluable information in such an accessible style.
This new and substantially revised edition of Policy Making in Britain provides an excellent introduction to the key ideas, individuals, institutions and vested interests that seek to define and control the political and policy agenda in Britain today. For students, particularly those with no previous knowledge of the subject, there is, quite simply, no better place to start
Peter Dorey has, once again, produced a fine piece of work which takes the readers through both the theory and practice of public policy making in the UK. From the clearly introduced chapters, to the questions for reflection and additional reading for scholars and students, Dorey has provided the discipline with the essential 'core' introductory text book in public policy that should be on every course reading list.
This is an important analysis of the systems of British politics and the pressures it faces. This book sets a clear course for the reader, and presents a range of political debates in a logical, concise, and highly readable manner.
A useful book for students new to policy. Well written and easy to read. Well recommended.
Informative and easy to read. Supports students with sociology and social policy units. Answers a lot of questions regarding how policies inform laws, and how ideas are used to develop policy.
brilliant reading for students to start off the social policy unit.
Contemporary material provided in an accessible format.
Not specific enough in relation to educational policy, to be acore reader, but providees keen insights into the wider political and policy making picture to provide a sound base.
Limited sources available for students to cope with
A well written book critically discussing topical issues surrounding policy making in the UK.
This is a comprehensive overview of the policy making process in Britain, and is useful as a supplimentary text for students on introductory courses for social policy, as many need a grounding in how policy gets made as much as the details and consequences of the policies themselves
A good book that will complement the existing text books in a course that explores how crime can be prevented and reduced.
This text provides an accessible and thorough introduction to those new to politics and policy-making. It also helps those with more prior knowledge and interest take their understanding further. The boxes offer useful and concise summaries for teaching and class discussions.
If undertaking any kind of policy analysis this book would prove very useful. Makes the 'messy' nature of policy easy to understand by the way it is broken down into key topic areas and examines core subjects such as political ideology and policy agenda.
This is a very good textbook that offers students a good overview of the policy process in the UK context. It works very well as a source of recommended readings on public policy institutions, and is especially useful insofar as it connects these institutions to the main theories and concepts in public policy.
This revised edition is greatly appreciated as many books on policy analysis are quite dated. The book provides students with an excellent overview of the policy process and includes some good examples related to social policy.
This revised edition has new chapters and is an essential read for students of UK politics and social policy.
interesting and well-researched
This is a useful additional text book to be used in Social Policy. Helps students to understand the reasons for policy making in Britain.