The intellectual focus of this seminar takes off from the claim by
Elliot Feldman that “the introduction of comparison into the
analysis of public policy promises to explore the range of choice
available to societies whose perception of choice may be bound by
institutions, economics, social structure and culture…And it
promises to be an embracing theory for politics, as well as for
policy, because comparison helps establish norms of judgment and
helps distinguish the essential from the trivial.” We will assess
the extent to which these promises have been and could be realized
through a review of the major approaches or perspectives designed to
increase our understanding of the dynamics of public policy.

We will begin with an effort to delineate the boundaries and methods
of the field. What do we mean by “comparison”? What so we mean
by “policy”? What is excluded and included? Next, we will consider
major approaches or perspectives in the field, all of which in
different ways concern the relationship between action (or actors)
and institutions. These approaches will be related to concrete
policy issues. In the field of policy studies it is particularly
important to ground our work in a way that positions us to
contribute to the debate on policy reform and possible new policy
directions. In this spirit, in our final section we will consider
under what circumstances (if any) the idea of “speaking truth to
power” might be feasible.

I would be pleased to discuss specific readings and assignments with
anyone who might be interested. I should note specifically that
while most of the substantive literature will focus on the American
and European experiences, I would particularly welcome students with
an interesting other world areas.