A Summary of The Practice of American Public Policymaking: Chapters 1 and 2
Frederick Hoffman
American Military University
, A Summary of The Practice of American Public Policymaking 2
Introduction
In the first two chapters of The Practice of American Public Policy Making (2015),
authors Selden Biggs and Lelia Helms introduce the basic concepts of public policymaking,
describe the difference between policymaking and politics, and examine the at policymaking in
the past and present. But first they start by defining policy simply as “the strategy by which goals
are reached”, and describe policymaking as producing “promises, benefits or burdens, and,
ultimately outcomes” (Biggs & Helms), 2006.
Chapter 1
Biggs and Helms break down the six strategies that guide their discussion in chapter one
of their text. The first was the focus on American policymaking and how the authors do not
compare American policymaking to other countries, but instead acknowledge that there are
similarities while at the same time pointing to vast differences too large to cover. The second
strategy approach by the authors is a holistic approach where they seek to look at the complete
scope of policymaking from legislation and executive orders to the less focused on
implementation and evaluation (Biggs & Helms, 2006).
Biggs and Helms's third strategy focuses on the work of policymaking itself and not the
analysis of policymaking (2006). That is to say that the focus is on how the government makes
the policy rather than what is thought about the policy itself. Policies can be wildly unpopular by
many but at the same time be viewed as absolutely necessary by an opposing group. Biggs and
Helms look at the way the policy decisions are made, the mechanism itself, rather than the
criticism of the results. Think of it as seeing how the sausage is made but not asking anyone what
they think of the taste.
The last three strategies deal with technology, historical and institutional aspects of
policymaking, and the authors' case study approach in their work. Finally, the fourth strategy
Frederick Hoffman
American Military University
, A Summary of The Practice of American Public Policymaking 2
Introduction
In the first two chapters of The Practice of American Public Policy Making (2015),
authors Selden Biggs and Lelia Helms introduce the basic concepts of public policymaking,
describe the difference between policymaking and politics, and examine the at policymaking in
the past and present. But first they start by defining policy simply as “the strategy by which goals
are reached”, and describe policymaking as producing “promises, benefits or burdens, and,
ultimately outcomes” (Biggs & Helms), 2006.
Chapter 1
Biggs and Helms break down the six strategies that guide their discussion in chapter one
of their text. The first was the focus on American policymaking and how the authors do not
compare American policymaking to other countries, but instead acknowledge that there are
similarities while at the same time pointing to vast differences too large to cover. The second
strategy approach by the authors is a holistic approach where they seek to look at the complete
scope of policymaking from legislation and executive orders to the less focused on
implementation and evaluation (Biggs & Helms, 2006).
Biggs and Helms's third strategy focuses on the work of policymaking itself and not the
analysis of policymaking (2006). That is to say that the focus is on how the government makes
the policy rather than what is thought about the policy itself. Policies can be wildly unpopular by
many but at the same time be viewed as absolutely necessary by an opposing group. Biggs and
Helms look at the way the policy decisions are made, the mechanism itself, rather than the
criticism of the results. Think of it as seeing how the sausage is made but not asking anyone what
they think of the taste.
The last three strategies deal with technology, historical and institutional aspects of
policymaking, and the authors' case study approach in their work. Finally, the fourth strategy
