Policy and Politics in Six Nations A Comparative Perspective on Policy Making

The study of comparative public policy is relatively new, but in the era of the global economy and the interdependence and connectedness of nations, it is valuable to study policy from a comparative perspective. The problems and issues that face one industrialized nation will eventually materialize in some form or shape in other nations. Thus questions such as why one nation finds it easier than another to pursue a consistent environmental policy or to provide health care through private provision rather than collective are important for students to ponder. The benefit of studying policy comparatively is that it affords students the opportunity of understanding policy issues and concerns through the use of generalizations. The purpose of this text is to provide students with the opportunity for cross-national policy learning. For example, they can learn from the British and Japanese experiences with national health care provision when debating the future direction of health care provision in the United States. Beyond this practical objective of the cross-national teaming experience,Policy and Politics in Six Nationsalso seeks to integrate public policy with mainstream comparative politics. Such a perspective attempts to provide the reader with an insight into policy making, which is grounded in a solid appreciation of how nation-state political processes are related and connected to the public policy process. Policy and Politics in Six Nationsemerges from courses that I have developed and taught over the years and from my many discussions with colleagues and students about the problems of understanding public policy in different national settings. Based upon my experience, I strongly believe there is a need for a text that blends an introductory perspective to public policy with a traditional treatment of comparative government and politics. Finally, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the following individuals. To my research assistant, David Goodman, thank you for your extensive work on health and welfare policy. To my editors, thank you for your determination to see this in print. To my office staff, in particular, Cynthia Harris for your tenacity in typing this manuscript, thank you. Elizabeth, thanks for the use of the guest house so I could shut myself away from the world. To Amy and Ed, I can only do what I do because of your support. And finally, but not least, to Marti, thanks for allowing me to be me and you to be you. Stella Z. Theodoulou Los AngelesTheodoulou, Stella Z. is the author of 'Policy and Politics in Six Nations A Comparative Perspective on Policy Making', published 2001 under ISBN 9780130866035 and ISBN 0130866032.