Policy Analysis as Problem Solving

Rachel Meltzer is the Plimpton Associate Professor of Planning and Urban Economics at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. Her research concentrates on urban economies, economic development, housing, land use, and local public finance. Dr. Meltzer’s work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, among others, and her research and writing appear in the top journals spanning policy, economics, and urban studies.Alex Schwartz is Professor of Urban Policy at the New School. His research focuses on housing and community development, including public housing and other affordable housing programs, and community development corporations. Dr. Schwartz is the author of Housing Policy in the United States, now in its fourth edition (Routledge 2021), and his research and writing appear in journals such as the Journal of Urban Affairs, the Journal of the American Planning Association, Housing Policy Debate, and Cityscape, among others.

“The second edition of this innovative textbook leverages an interdisciplinary perspective and intuitive approach to policy analysis as "evidence-based advice-giving". I like the way it continues to integrate the latest insights from the behavioral sciences and design thinking and their application to public policy. And I appreciate how the book not only inspires deeper learning about policy analysis but also teaches practical skills that students can take with them as they confront the challenges of real-world policy design and implementation.”Gregg Van Ryzin, Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University–Newark.“Meltzer and Schwartz deliver an accessible, well-organized, and contemporary introduction to public policy analysis. I use their book to teach theory courses on public policy, and the text offers just the right mix of solid scholarship and practical application. Replete with excellent examples and two running policy cases, the narrative arc of the book fits well with my students’ own development as policy professionals – they grow with Meltzer and Schwartz as the book progresses over nine chapters.”Justin Hollander, Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning, Tufts University.“Policy Analysis as Problem Solving is the ideal handbook for students seeking the skills to engage in social and public health policy analysis in real-world contexts. By integrating the conventional rational model of analysis with approaches that reflect the true complexity of politics and human behavior, Meltzer and Schwartz have crafted an accessible, flexible, and actionable framework for generating evidence-based policy recommendations that advance the social and economic determinants of health.”Linnea Laestadius, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.“Meltzer and Schwartz have quickly become an authority on how to help students get started. They explain the classic steps of policy analysis, show how it fits into the bigger picture of policymaking, and relate it to a push to democratise policy design. By combining these insights, Meltzer and Schwartz help students to compare policy analysis ideals and real-world dynamics.”Paul Cairney, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, University of Stirling, UK.“The first edition of “Policy Analysis as Problem Solving” proved to be an excellent counterpoint to standard textbooks that focused too narrowly on the economics of policy analysis and the role of market incentives in modeling policy alternatives. The Second Edition expands with new case studies and illustrations. It provides a superior alternative textbook for instructors and students concerned about fairness and equity in producing evidence-based policy recommendations. The critique of conventional policy analysis methods is balanced and lucid and should be required reading for every serious practicing policy analyst.”Samuel L. Myers, Jr. Director and Professor, Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.“Policy Analysis as Problem-Solving by Rachel Meltzer and Alex Schwartz is easily one of my favorite books on the subject. In this updated edition, the authors offer readers a fresh, engaging take on public problem-solving. Given the complexity of many social issues public leaders face, the emphasis on a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based approach is critically important. The case studies on the western U.S. water crisis and the burgeoning short-term housing rental market are very helpful in bringing the frameworks to life. Additionally, the expanded discussions on voting rights, child support debt, and innovative behavioral economics breathe new life into these critical topics. This book is an invaluable resource, providing a modern toolkit for students and policy professionals to effectively navigate today’s policy landscape. Highly recommended!”Jorrit de Jong, Director, Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University and Emma Bloomberg Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at Harvard Kennedy School

• Introduction 1. What is Policy Analysis? Mainstream and Alternative Perspectives 2. Defining the Problem and Setting the Stage 3. Devising Alternative Policy Options 4. Objectives and Criteria 5. Technical Aspects of Policy Analysis: Discounting, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Cost-Effectivenes Analysis 6. Analysis and Making Recommendations 7. Research and Policy Analysis 8. Policy Analysis in Practice 9. Epilogue