Kraft, Furlong publish fifth edition of popular Public Policy textbook

Michael Kraft, professor emeritus of Public and Environmental Affairs, and Scott Furlong, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, have just published the fifth edition of their book Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives, officially released on Nov. 4 by CQ Press to coincide with election day.

Kraft says the textbook reflects the way that he and Furlong long taught their courses in Public Policy Analysis and Introduction to Public Policy, respectively. The book encourages students to question assumptions and recognize how analysis and political arguments intersect, and to apply critical and creative thinking on issues ranging from the federal deficit to health care reform to climate change. Newly added content includes references to the ending of the war in Afghanistan, controversies over national security leaks and surveillance, energy policy and climate change, immigration, college costs and affordability, heightened concerns over inequality, and ongoing debates over the federal deficit and national deficit.

According to the publisher, the book ranks at the top among the nation’s best-selling public policy texts. A description of the book and editorial reviews of it can be found at the publisher’s website.