Magical Thinking in Public Policy - Why Naive Ideals About Better Policymaking Persist in Cynical Times

This book explores why naïve ideals about better policymaking persist even in cynical times, revealing the careful reflection at the heart of what appears to be 'magical thinking' in public policy, and offering new insights into the continuing appeal of such ideals.

List of contents

• 1: Introduction: Naïve ideals in cynical times


• 2: Conceptualizing magical thinking


• 3: Evidence-based policymaking


• 4: Prevention


• 5: Collaboration


• 6: Transparency


• 7: Citizen engagement


• 8: Conclusion: A defence of magical thinking in public policy

About the author

John Boswell is Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Southampton. His expertise is in public policy, deliberative governance, and interpretive methods. His many publications on these topics include Mending Democracy: Democratic Reform in Disconnected Times (with Carolyn M. Hendriks and Selen A. Ercan; OUP, 2020), and The Art and Craft of Comparison (with Jack Corbett and R. A. W. Rhodes; CUP, 2019).

Summary

This book explores why naïve ideals about better policymaking persist even in cynical times, revealing the careful reflection at the heart of what appears to be 'magical thinking' in public policy, and offering new insights into the continuing appeal of such ideals.

Product details

• Authors: John Boswell, John (Associate Professor in Politics Boswell
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.12.2022
• EAN: 9780192848789
• ISBN: 978-0-19-284878-9
• No. of pages: 192
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; PHILOSOPHY / Social, PHILOSOPHY / Political, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Policy / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Affairs & Administration, Social & political philosophy, Political science & theory, social and political philosophy, Public Administration, Political science and theory, Central / national / federal government policies, Central government policies