Artists of the Possible

Governing Networks and American Policy Change since 1945

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Social Services & Welfare, History & Theory, History, Americas, United States
Cover of the book Artists of the Possible by Matt Grossmann, Oxford University Press
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Author: Matt Grossmann ISBN: 9780190243326
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: April 10, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Matt Grossmann
ISBN: 9780190243326
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: April 10, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Do policymakers heed the voices of the American public or only the lobbyists in Washington? Why do they take action on health reform, but not gun control? Why does policymaking usually move slowly, and sometimes not at all? Artists of the Possible takes on these questions, analyzing sixty years of domestic policy history to provide a new understanding of what drives policymaking in all three branches of government. The results are surprising: public policy does not address the public's largest concerns. The amount of policy-and its liberal or conservative direction-emerges instead from coalition building and compromises among political elites. Elections, public opinion, and media coverage have little impact, no matter the issue area. Even changes in Washington's partisan balance and ideological divides fail to reliably produce shifts in policy direction. This data-rich, exhaustively researched work overturns our most basic assumptions about how policy is made, challenging the notion that our government is of, by, and for the people.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Do policymakers heed the voices of the American public or only the lobbyists in Washington? Why do they take action on health reform, but not gun control? Why does policymaking usually move slowly, and sometimes not at all? Artists of the Possible takes on these questions, analyzing sixty years of domestic policy history to provide a new understanding of what drives policymaking in all three branches of government. The results are surprising: public policy does not address the public's largest concerns. The amount of policy-and its liberal or conservative direction-emerges instead from coalition building and compromises among political elites. Elections, public opinion, and media coverage have little impact, no matter the issue area. Even changes in Washington's partisan balance and ideological divides fail to reliably produce shifts in policy direction. This data-rich, exhaustively researched work overturns our most basic assumptions about how policy is made, challenging the notion that our government is of, by, and for the people.

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