Policy evaluation : linking theory to practice

For governments to be successful in achieving their objectives, they need to select the correct policy instruments. This volume addresses the role of policy instruments in achieving policy objectives. The book provides a systematic assessment of the impact that evaluations of public policy have on the governance of democratic societies. It emphasizes the impacts of public policy evaluations on the formulation, implementation and accountability functions of governments. At all three phases of the policy cycle, there is a need for coherent and systematic evaluation. This book demonstrates how such evaluations can be conducted and the opportunities for their subsequent utilization. This volume moves beyond the theoretical arena into that of applications via case studies from eight policy sectors. These include environment, health insurance, education, economic developement, industrial relations, energy, child support and housing. In each of these areas, a case is presented that demonstrates how it is that policy evaluations can be used in the political decision-making process. Included are 31 articles dating from 1989 to 1993, contributed by E. Albaek, M. Bamberger, M. Howlett, B. Jenkins, S.B. Kamerman, amd J.A. Wysong.