Contemporary Regulatory Policy

Emphasizing accessibility in their treatment, Eisner (government, Wesleyan U.), Worsham (political science, West Virginia U.), and Ringquist (public and environmental affairs, Indiana U.) provide an overview of contemporary regulatory policies and debates in the United States, viewed through the lens of policy analysis. They differentiate their work from others on regulation by emphasizing the role of institutions in implementing regulatory policy and by insisting that regulation has an important role in public life that goes beyond simple questions of market failure. They introduce the subject with chapters exploring the theory and history of regulatory change, followed by chapters covering the regulation of market competition, financial intermediaries, telecommunications, environmental protection, workplace safety and health, consumer protection, and energy. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)