"An excellent guidebook for students that teaches them both the analytical and normative skills to understand, assess, and even implement public policies. In an age where the underlying democratic principles of reasoned, net beneficial public policy are increasingly under attack, this book is more important than ever."
Benjamin K. Sovacool, University of Sussex, UK and Boston University, USA
Clear, comprehensive, deeply engaging, and thoroughly updated. Simons Public Policy has anchored my teaching for years, giving students both essential foundations and the tools to analyze policy with rigor and confidence. It remains the first text I recommend for anyone beginning the study of public policy.
David P. Adams, Associate Professor, California State University, Fullerton
The 4th edition of Public Policy: Preferences and Outcomes offers students a clear, engaging, and comprehensive introduction to public policy. Simon effectively bridges theory with practice, ensuring that readers grasp both foundational concepts and the real-world dynamics shaping todays policy choices and outcomes.
Brent S. Steel, University Distinguished Professor, Oregon State University
I have observed the evolution of Public Policy: Preferences and Outcomes over the course of four editions and am very happy to see that it remains an important mainstay in our disciplinary literature. The 4th edition once again provides a sound foundation for understanding the public policy process and its vast consequences for American democracy, including timely updates relating to changes being introduced during the 2nd Trump administration. As Christopher Simon notes, public policy is affected by two different worlds: the world of the normativethe realm of political philosophyand the world of empiricalthe realm of science. This book explores both realms. In a uniformly evenhanded, fair, and sensitive way, Simon provides an outstanding exploration of these two realms to the benefit of all students regardless of their political inclinations.
Nicholas P. Lovrich, Regents Professor, Claudius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Washington State University