Critical theory, public policy, and planning practice : toward a critical pragmatism

Too often attacked as hopelessly abstract, contemporary critical social theory can help us to understand both public policy and its analysis. In this book, John Forester shows how policy analysis, planning, and public administration are thoroughly political communicative practices that subtly and selectively organize public attention. Drawing from Jürgen Habermas’s critical communications theory of society, Forester shows how policy developments alter the social infrastructure of society. He provides a clear introduction to critical social theory at the same time that he clarifies the practical and political challenges facing public policy analysts, public managers, and planners working in many fields. 1. Toward A Critical Pragmatism: The Contemporary Relevance, Promises, And Problems Of Critical Theory -- 2. Understanding Planning Practice: An Empirical, Practical, And Normative Account -- 3. The Micropolitics Of Planning And Policy Practices: Questioning And Organizing Attention -- 4. Practical Rationality: From Bounded Rationality To The Critique Of Ideology In Practice -- 5. The Geography Of Practice And The Terrain Of Resistance -- 6. Challenges Of Organization And Mobilization: Examples From Community-labor Coalitions -- 7. Toward A Critical Sociology Of Public Policy: Probing Policy-shaped Contra-dictions In The Communicative Infrastructure Of Society. John Forester. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [179]-200) And Indexes. "Too often attacked as hopelessly abstract, contemporary critical social theory can help us to understand both public policy and its analysis. In this book, John Forester shows how policy analysis, planning, and public administration are thoroughly political communicative practices that subtly and selectively organize public attention. Drawing from Jurgen Habermas's critical communications theory of society, Forester shows how policy developments alter the social infrastructure of society. He provides a clear introduction to critical social theory at the same time that he clarifies the practical and political challenges facing public policy analysts, public managers, and planners working in many fields." -- Publisher's website