'This substantial textbook, now in its third edition, is revised to take account of recent policy scholarship and theorizing, with a wider coverage of countries (more on Japan and Australia) and a new chapter on environmental policy replacing the one on local government. It neatly balances influences on policy from the characteristics of national settings and styles, and of policy sectors. It is aware of the importance of timing and political expediency. Policy problems and objectives may be similar, even policy content, but modes of implementation can vary significantly, as is illustrated in the chapter on environmental policy.' - George Jones, Political Studies