| Complexity and Policy Analysis: Tools and Concepts for Designing Robust Policies in a Complex World Contributor(s): Dennard, Linda F. (Editor), Richardson, Kurt A. (Editor), Morcol, Goktug (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0981703224 ISBN-13: 9780981703220 Publisher: Isce Publishing OUR PRICE: $62.69 Product Type: Hardcover Published: May 2008 Annotation: The authors of this volume explore such topics as whether complexity theory offers a new science or is merely a novel analytical tool kit and if the theory suggests a new way of knowing and solving complex public policy problems. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Policy - Social Science |
| Dewey: 320.6 |
| LCCN: 2008928558 |
| Series: Exploring Organizational Complexity |
| Physical Information: 0.94" H x 7" W x 10" (2.10 lbs) 428 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: It is well known and acknowledged that public policies are inherently complex. But the implications of complexity theory (or complex adaptive systems theory) for policy analysis have not been explored fully. The authors of this volume offer perspectives and methodological tools to fill this gap. Among the questions explored in the volume are, does complexity theory offer a 'new science', an alternative way of thinking to the pervasive rationalism of the mainstream policy analysis, or is it merely a novel analytical tool kit? Does the theory suggest a new way of knowing-and consequently solving-complex public policy problems, for example? How does the theory conceptualize complexity, and is this different from common understandings of the term? What should be the involvement of policy analysts in the process of change from the perspective of complexity theory? Does the theory support or suggest a complexity ethics? The authors of the book also illustrate how agent-based models, the most commonly applied tool of complexity theorists, can be used in policy analysis, as well as creatively applying other methods such as Q-methodology and qualitative case study in understanding complex social problems. |