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Charlesworth, Julie and Humphreys, Wendy
(2005).
URL: http://www.ouw.co.uk/store/(S(2por4hiu35ijbr32n12r...
Abstract
[About the book]
This book is about public policy and how policy decisions shape the lives of citizens. "Policy" refers to one aspect of politics - not elections, nor party politics inside or outside parliament, nor dissent, but the making and delivery of laws, rules and guidelines. It is a distinctive feature of modern politics that governments are expected to make policies and implement them effectively, and that plans for policy provide the electorate with a means of distinguishing different parties at elections. Public policy is that part of politics concerned with government decisions, and their administration and implementation. Note an ambiguity straight away - "policy" can refer to what parties or governments plan to do, as well as to what governments actually do when in office.