1 Introducing the 'Policy Approach' 3
Why Use a Particular Approach? 3
Choosing an Approach 8
What Does the Policy Approach Involve? 11
Why Choose the Policy Approach? 17
Some Underlying Assumptions 17
References 21

2 Views of Policy Making 22
Behavioural Views 24
Structural Views 33
Choosing Between Views 48
Topics for Discussion 49
Key Reading 49
References 50

PART II Acquiring Resources 51

3 Acquiring Resources: the Policy Ingredients 53
Support: the Intangible Resource 54
Tangible Resources 65
Conclusion 80
Topics for Discussion 81
Key Reading 82
References 82

4 Problems of Acquiring Resources - What, How and from Whom? 84
Problems of Acquisition 86
Who Pays How Much of the Costs of Resource Acquisition? 99
Conclusion 106
Topics for Discussion 109
Key Reading 109
References 109

PART III Dividing Resources 111

5 Dividing Resources: the Criteria for Choice 113
How much is Spent? On What? By Whom? 113
Policy Needs 118
Policy Demands 126
Needs, Demands and Power 137
Topics for Discussion 140
Key Reading 140
References 141

6 Dividing Resources: the Politics of Public Expenditure 143
Machinery and Procedures 143
The Play of Power 159
Conclusion 167
Topics for Discussion 169
Key Reading 170
References 170

PART IV Applying Policies 173

7 The Products of Government: Carrying out Intentions 175
The Means of Carrying out Policies 179
The Effectiveness of Carrying out Policies 190
Conclusion 199
Topics for Discussion 200
Key Reading 201
References 201

8 The Consequences of Government: Outcomes and Impact 203
The Effectiveness of Policy 205
The Distribution of Policy 214
Conclusion 224
Topics for Discussion 227
Key Reading 227
References 228

PART V Conclusion 229

9 The Policy Approach Reviewed 231
Effectiveness and Distribution 232
Power, Constraints and Capacity 233
Accountability and Assessment 237
Judgement and Policy Choice 238
Studying Public Policy 241
References 242

Author Index 243

Subject Index 236