Full Description
This book offers a powerful new approach to policy studies. Drawing on recent perspectives from social constructionism, discourse analysis, the sociology of social problems and feminism, Carol Bacchi develops a step-by-step analytical tool for deconstructing policy problems. Her `What's the Problem?' approach encourages students to reflect critically upon the ways in which policy problems get constructed within policy debates and policy proposals.
Contents
Introduction
Taking Problems Apart
PART ONE: WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? AN APPROACH TO POLICY
Preamble
Policy Studies
Traditional Approaches
Rethinking Policy Studies
Rethinking `Social Problems'
PART TWO: THE PROBLEM OF WOMEN'S INEQUALITY
Preamble
Pay Equity
On Whose Terms?
Discrimination
Who Is Responsible?
Education Policy
Access or Transformation?
Child Care Policy
Who Gains?
Abortion
Whose Right?
Domestic Violence
Battered Women or Violent Men?
Sexual Harassment
What Is Sexual about It?
Conclusion
The Politics of Policy Studies
