Beyond Public Policy: A Public Action Languages Approach (New Horizons in Public Policy series)

Public policy is an expression that has come to dominate the way people talk about doing government and public administration and is seen as a central component of the modern democratic order. Adopting an innovative 'public action languages' approach, Beyond Public Policy shows how policy is only one of many powerful social languages (budgeting, planning, rights, directives and protests, amongst others) used to make things happen in the ever-changing arena of public affairs; where they may cooperate, compete, or just go their own way. Opening up discussions on the varied ways that people talk about and act in relation to the public good, this is a fascinating insight into the multiplicity of social languages used to negotiate possibilities in public affairs. Social languages are examined as being performative parts of everyday life, and examples from different places and times are used to illustrate the importance of these language forms. Political science, public administration, social psychology and sociology scholars will find this book a vital reference with its advanced approach to public affairs. Professionals in NGOs, public service and government, as well as activists will also greatly benefit from the practical advice and real-life case studies the book offers Front Matter 2 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 7 1. Collective concerns: from policy studies to public action 10 2. From publics, parishes and philanthropy to resistance and self-help: the civic side of public action 40 3. Social languages and the performative turn 67 4. Some active governments and their action languages 93 5. Public action languages seen from elsewhere: from the Treaty of Rome and public administration reform to the arrival of public policies in Brazil 124 6. From noisy rights to hybrid forums: languages of mobilization 152 7. Beyond public policy: public action languages and the negotiation of possibilities 180 References 211 Index 236 "Beyond Public Policy shows how policy is only one of a multiplicity of powerful social languages (budgeting, planning, rights, directives, governancy, philanthropy, protests and self-help, amongst others) that are also actively present, cooperating, competing or going their own way in the ever-changing arena of public affairs"--Back cover.