Policy Analysis: A Practical Introduction. By DavidBromell, Cham: Springer, 2024. xiii+241 pp. EUR 64,19 (ebook), EUR 74,99 (hardcover). ISBN: 978‐3‐031‐55363‐9; ISBN: 978‐3‐031‐55364‐6 (eBook)
这本书基于作者在新西兰政府的高级政策经验，提供政策分析的实用指南，强调政治可行性、渐进式问题解决和民主沟通，适合政策从业者、学生及记者等读者。
“Policy Analysis: A Practical Introduction” by David Bromell is a pivotal text in the field of policy analysis, offering an invaluable guide for both novice and seasoned practitioners. Bromell, drawing on his extensive experience in senior policy roles within New Zealand's central and local government, provides a unique perspective that bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application. Bromell's work is particularly valuable for its emphasis on six distinctive aspects of policy analysis that are consistently integrated throughout its chapters: purposeful and planned activity, political feasibility and practical implementability, incremental social problem-solving, focus on people and place, democracy as government by discussion, and anticipatory governance and intergenerational accountability. Bromell argues that policy analysis should be a planned activity aimed at solving collective problems and achieving agreed goals, rather than constructing elegant policies for their own sake. This perspective is rooted in his extensive practical experience, where timely and fit-for-purpose analysis is crucial. In a democratic context, policies need to be both scientifically informed and politically feasible. Bromell emphasizes the importance of understanding the political dimensions of policy-making, which often require balancing evidence with public persuasion (Wildavsky 1980). Effective policy-making involves incremental changes that build on past achievements and anticipate future challenges. Bromell highlights the importance of stakeholder analysis, prioritization, and engagement to facilitate practical agreements and durable policies. Effective policy analysis involves clear communication and the ability to facilitate discussion, debate, and decision-making. Bromell advocates for writing that engages decision-makers and the public, fostering a democratic dialog (Stone 2011). Bromell's accessible writing style and clear explanations make the book suitable for a wide audience. It is beneficial for those who plan to become policy analysts and those already working as policy analysts who wish to improve their skills. Additionally, it helps people who want to understand how policy analysis works, such as journalists and politicians. Furthermore, it aids individuals who want to contribute analytical frameworks and skills to their work in governance and management, whether in the public sector, the private sector, or the community and voluntary sector. Bromell emphasizes the purposeful and planned nature of policy analysis, stating that it should help decision-makers solve collective problems and achieve agreed goals. This theme is explored in Chapter 1, where he advocates for a practical, modest, and realistic approach to policy work, managed like any other project to ensure timely and fit-for-purpose analysis. One of the core strengths of Bromell's book is its emphasis on political feasibility. In Chapter 3, he highlights the importance of engaging with political realities and working collaboratively with various stakeholders. Bromell argues that policies need to be not only scientifically sound but also politically feasible and implementable. He suggests that policy-making is political all the way through, and it is more art and craft than science. This perspective is further developed in Chapter 4 where he emphasizes the art of public persuasion, underlining the necessity of credibility, passion, and compassion in policy advocacy. Bromell's approach to policy analysis is also characterized by its focus on incremental social problem-solving. Chapter 6 discusses techniques for managing competing and conflicting interests, facilitating practicable agreements, and making incremental changes that build on past achievements. Bromell asserts that “incremental change makes for durable policy, and over time small gains add up”. This theme is echoed in Chapter 7, where he advocates for the consistent application of practical wisdom and common sense in policy-making. People and place are at the heart of effective policy-making, according to Bromell. In Chapter 9, he underscores the necessity of understanding demographic trends and population analysis. He argues that it is difficult to do policy analysis well without at least a basic grasp of population analysis and demographic trends. It shows how the policy might be adaptable to different cultural contexts by provides some way-markers to navigate conflicting claims relating to identity and culture, urging an informed thoughtfulness about identities, classifications, and social groups as we grapple with considerations of freedom, equality, and fairness. Additionally, Chapter 8, highlights the critical role of empathy, communication, and engagement with diverse communities, essential for any policy analyst. Democracy and effective communication are central themes in Bromell's book. Chapter 5 focuses on the importance of clear and engaging communication in policy analysis. Bromell stresses that policy documents should facilitate discussion, debate, and decision-making, writing for the ear to avoid boring decision-makers into indifference. This theme is expanded in Chapter 10, where Bromell explores the role of policy analysts in a democratic society, advocating for reasonableness, public persuasion, and ethical dimensions of policy analysis. He also discusses the importance of policy analysts anticipating future challenges and ensuring that policy solutions are responsive and responsible. Bromell assert that to deal well with future challenges, we need a new generation of policy analysts. These analyst should bring to the task responsiveness and responsibility. They should also possess hindsight and foresight, as well as memory and hope. While Bromell's emphasis on practical experience and real-world application is a notable strength, the book could benefit from a deeper exploration of the theoretical frameworks that underpin policy analysis. It serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing processes from initial planning and collective ideation to crafting compelling policy narratives and ensuring peer review and quality assurance. However, its focus on incremental change, while pragmatic, may be perceived as conservative in contexts that demand more transformative solutions. The reliance on practical wisdom and common sense, although valuable, risks leading to subjective interpretations and variations in practice. Nonetheless, the book illustrates how policy analysis supports anticipatory governance and intergenerational accountability, emphasizing that the policy decisions made today will impact both present and future generations. This reality challenges policy analysts to practice effective stewardship, engage in anticipatory governance with integrity, and utilize reflexivity—through feedback and learning—as well as open impartiality to enhance the efficiency, intergenerational impact, and accountability of policy initiatives. Moreover, Bromell's use of accessible language and straightforward explanations is a significant advantage of this book. Even those without a formal background in public policy can easily grasp the concepts and methodologies discussed. Bromell's effort to demystify the field of policy analysis make book a valuable resource. It is not only useful for students and partitioners but also for anyone interested in understanding and engaging with policy issues. To further enhance the understanding of policy analysis and public policy, it is beneficial to read Bromell's book alongside other influential works. Parsons (1995) provides a detailed examination of theoretical foundations (Parsons 1995), while Deborah Stone (2011) explores the complexities and values inherent in policy-making. Additionally, Kraft and Furlong (2019) offer comprehensive insights into the broader processes and challenges of policy-making, and Wildavsky (1980) remains a classic, emphasizing the importance of practical skills and creative thinking. In conclusion, Bromell's book provides a valuable and practical guide to policy analysis, rooted in extensive real-world experience. The book's strengths lie in its practical approach and emphasis on incremental, politically feasible solutions. However, the book could benefit from a deeper engagement with theoretical perspectives. It also needs a more balanced approach that acknowledges the potential need for radical policy changes in certain contexts. Despite these, Bromell's work remains an essential resource for policy analysts, students, and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of policy-making in a democratic society. The authors would like to express their appreciation to Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) for assisting author in the publication process and for publishing this paper. The author has nothing to report.