Power and Policy in Liberal Democracies [Paperback]

This textbook, first published in 1992, integrates the field of policy studies with more traditional approaches to comparative politics.This study of power and policy in four liberal democracies--France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States--provides an introduction to contrasting areas of policy in the sectors of industry, health, law enforcement, etc.This study of power and policy in four liberal democracies--France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States--provides an introduction to contrasting areas of policy in the sectors of industry, health, law enforcement, etc.Why has Japan found it easier to pursue a consistent industrial policy than the United States? Why does Britain provide health care collectively whereas France relies on private provision? Why is the American government unable to ensure the safety of its citizens whereas personal safety is not even an issue in Japan? Such questions are central to the study of comparative public politics and this book seeks to answer them by integrating policy analysis with mainstream comparative politics. The authors examine power and policy in four liberal democracies: France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. They provide an introduction to the politics of the four leading democracies by setting out the actors, arenas and agendas of policy in each country. They go on to explore four contrasting areas of policy: industrial, health, ethnic minorities, and law and order, and discuss the countries from various perspectives.Preface; 1. Introduction Martin Harrop; Part I. Countries: 2. France Ella Ritchie; 3. Japan Ian Neary; 4. United Kingdom Martin Harrop; 5. United States Rod Hague; Part II. Sectors: 6. Industrial policy Philip Daniels; 7. Health policy Martin Harrop; 8. Ethnic minorities Ian Neary; 9. Law and order Ella Ritchie; Part III. Perspectives: 10. Implementation Michael Clarke; 11. Evaluation Peter Jones; 12. Comparison Martin Harrop; Appendix; Index.