PCY1002

Public policy: theories and issues

(ART)

Professor Brian Costar

6 points + 3 hours per week + Second semester + Caulfield + Clayton

Synopsis: Theories explaining the formation and implementation of public policy. Topics include the rise of neo-classical economics and its influence on managerialism and contracturalism; the nature of the state focusing particularly on elitist, pluralist and corporatist theories; the nature of power and the issue of non-decision making; decision-making theories, rational planning, incrementalism, mixed scanning and public choice theory; the nature of policy communities/networks; case studies.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 40% + Tutorial participation: 20% + Examination (2 hours): 40%