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Title: Rulemaking: How Government Agencies Write Law and Make Policy by Cornelius M. Kerwin ISBN: 1-56802-780-X Publisher: CQ Press Pub. Date: February, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3 (1 review)
Rating: 3
Summary: I finished with more questions than answers.
Comment: I am on an endless quest, it seems; to find a book on the administrative state that is informative while being at least mildly enthusiastic about its subject. This book starts out enthusiastic. This book certainly started with enthusiasm. The first chapter, in fact, is devoted to convincing us why the administrative state is a superb American invention (a view I do not always share!) Chapter 5, which is devoted to public participation in the Admin. state also bubbles with giddiness.
Like a horse on crack-cocaine, though, this book stars with gallant speed, slows down fast and ends with an mild gasp. I'm sure this was not the authors intention. There are two main reasons. First, as the book is structured so that each chapter examines another area of admin. state rule making (oversight from the 3 branches, rulemaking structure, inherent paradoxes of the process) the first two chapters, which are almost overviews of the rest of the book, builds up high expectations. For example, when the first chapter lightly nibbles at rulemaking's structural issues, tow paragraphs in we are told that we will need to wait untill another chapter for a discussion. The author does this repeatedly throughout the book, thus leaving the reader in a constant hang.
The second reason for the flickering finish of the book is that, and unfortunately as with most admin. state books, not much save for completely varied anecdotal information is offered. How are rules written, the book asks; it depends on the administration, it answers. What about modes of public participation and debate? Depends on the rules of the comission. After a while, its almost pointless to read the next chapter as we begin to guess the answer to each question posed.
The reason, though, for the three stars is this: Chapter 1 (on justifications for the admin. state), Chapter 3(paradoxes inherent in the rulemaking process) and Chapter 7 (the role of theory in rulemaking and its reform) are actually decent and informative chapters. Vagueness aside, they do provide useful anecdotes. Also Chapters 3 and 7 present ideas, discussions and points that are all but ignored in other books on admin. state rulemaking. Buy the book, read those 3 chapters and maybe skim the rest.
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Title: The Accountable Juggler: The Art of Leadership in a Federal Agency (Public Affairs and Political Education Series) by Beryl A. Radin ISBN: 1568026439 Publisher: CQ Press Pub. Date: March, 2002 List Price(USD): $47.90 |
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Title: Administrative Law for Public Managers by David H. Rosenbloom, David Rosenbloom ISBN: 0813398053 Publisher: Westview Press Pub. Date: 03 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: A Question of Intent: A Great American Battle With a Deadly Industry by David Kessler ISBN: 1586481215 Publisher: PublicAffairs Pub. Date: 19 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.50 |
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Title: Governing by Contract: Challenges and Opportunities for Public Managers by Phillip J. Cooper ISBN: 156802620X Publisher: CQ Press Pub. Date: 15 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Law and Justice: An Introduction to the American Legal System (5th Edition) by Howard Abadinsky ISBN: 013098180X Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 21 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $75.00 |
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