Public Policy and Administration

Australian public policy engages with the values and dilemmas of progressive public policy in Australia, bringing together leading authors to explore a wide range of issues which challenge and extend current thinking about Australian public policy.

Leading governance theorist Jonathan S. Davies develops a rich comparative analysis of austerity governance and resistance in eight cities, to establish a conjunctural perspective on the rolling crises of neoliberal globalism.

Multidisciplinary in approach, this book is the first to draw together insights from a range of leading academics and thinkers in ‘behaviour change’ across a range of disciplines including public health, transport, marketing and the environment to discuss new innovations in practice and research.

Takes a long term view on the range of institutional and operational options available to the UK, EU and other international institutions seeking to influence Brexit negotiations and outcomes.

First published as a special issue of Policy & Politics journal, this book situates reforms known as ‘nudges’ or ‘behavioural interventions’ which have emerged in public policy and administration within a broader tradition of methodological individualism.

Tracing the evolution of political discourse on abortion from the 1960s to today, this interdisciplinary book argues that in order to understand the changing pluralities of contemporary abortion debate, it is necessary to move beyond an understanding of abortion politics as characterised by ‘pro-choice’ and ‘pro-life’.

In Broken Benefits, Sam Royston argues that social security isn’t working, and without a change in direction, it will be even less fair in the future.

He provides an introductory guide to social security, correcting misunderstandings and presents practical ideas of how benefits should be reformed.

This lively and topical book provides a critique of choice in contemporary society and policy. Having choices empowers us, but constant extension of choice overwhelms us. In a concise and readable style, the author considers whether choice enhances or burdens our lives, and questions the blithe assumption that more choice is always for the better.

This topical book takes a critical look at contemporary governance theory, arguing that there are structural impediments to achieving an ideology of networks and reconsidering it from Marxist and Gramscian perspectives. 

Mixing policy discussion and empirical work by leading researchers in the field, "Changing local governance, changing citizens" aims to explain what debates about local governance mean for local people.

Experts from around the world review the complex and rapidly changing politics and policies of austerity in this comprehensive collection of essays. The book details the many different means and expressions of austerity since the financial crisis of 2008, as well as backlashes and emerging political alternatives.

The Local Government Act 2000 has transformed the way in which local politics operates. Local councillors have had to adjust to the introduction of elected mayors, cabinet government and scrutiny committees, and cope with a range of new initiatives. This book is a unique attempt to provide a coherent analysis of the impact of these changes.