"The book is cogent and well written, offering clear discussion in a logical format."—American Political Science Review
"Critical and perceptive."—Governance
"One of the many attractions of the book is that it takes seriously the claims of social science to explain policy change and stability. . . the book uses the use of the concept of policy design to fill the gaps in rather than replace empirical research. Also, for the practitioner, Schneider and Ingram recommend general principles for good design."—American Politics Review
"In this incredibly rich and sophisticated analysis, Schneider and Ingram develop a theoretical framework that both highlights how the elements of policy designs are socially constructed and explains how the characteristics of those designs often work to weaken democratic values and processes. This superb book will be of special value to those interested in policy studies."—Choice
"This is a policy textbook with point of view and attitude. It will influence the next generation of students (graduates and undergraduates alike) and it will have to be taken with utmost seriousness by scholars, practitioners, and politicians."—Theodore Lowi, author of American Government and The End of Liberalism
"Schneider and Ingram have resynthesized the policy literature around one central question: how do various elements of policy design and policy making help or hinder democracy? And in their new bottles, the old wine really does taste better."—Deborah A. Stone, author of The Disabled State and Policy Paradox and Political Reason
"This superb review, critique, and synthesis of policy theory will enable everyone concerned with public policy, whether as practitioner, teacher, or student, not only to understand the process better and be more effective, but to think clearly about the values on which policy should be built."—John Mollenkopf, author of A Phoenix in the Ashes
"It is time for intelligent optimism in political science, and Schneider and Ingram serve us well. Their formulation of ‘policy design’ wonderfully reminds us that policy has content and not mere form. They offer a framework that seeks to overcome degenerative policymaking, of which there is surely enough, and to achieve constructive results through democratic means. It is Lasswellian in spirit, but also reminds one of Norton Long."—Matthew Holden, Jr., author of Continuity and Disruption
