The Art of Policymaking: Tools, Techniques and Processes in the Modern Executive Branch, Second Edition is a practical introduction to the specific tools, techniques, and processes used to create policy in the executive branch of the U.S. government.  George E. Shambaugh, IV and Paul Weinstein, Jr. explain how government officials develop policy, manage the policymaking process, and communicate those policies to stakeholders and the public at large.  The authors draw on both their academic and government experience to provide real-world advice on writing policy decision memos, preparing polling questions, and navigating the clearance process.  An abundance of case studies show how actual policies are developed and how and why policies and processes differ across administrations. Finally, practice scenarios allow students to apply the tools and techniques they have learned by working through both domestic and foreign policy situations.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1: WHY THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS MATTERS Objective Situating the Tools, Techniques and Processes in the Existing Literature Promoting Presidential Leadership and Management through the Policymaking Process The Importance of Procedural Legitimacy in Building Policy Support Conclusion PART I. THE POLICYMAKERS CHAPTER 2: THE WHITE HOUSE POLICY COUNCILS The Policy Councils and the Structure of The Executive Branch How the Policy Councils Operate and Why They Are Important The White House Policy Councils Key Agencies Within the Executive Office of the President Conclusion CHAPTER 3: THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF Working on the White House Staff Other Key Players in the White House Interaction with the Media White House Gatekeepers Conclusion CHAPTER 4: AGENCIES AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION Executive Agencies and Departments and Executive Branch Policymaking The Role of Agencies Implementing Policy Decisions Conclusion CHAPTER 5: POLICY MANAGEMENT Policy Management and Procedural Legitimacy Models of Policy Management Policy Czars and War Rooms Conclusion PART II. TOOLS OF THE TRADE CHAPTER 6: POLICYMAKING MEMORANDA Tools of the Trade The Role of the Memorandum The Decision-making Memorandum The Information Memorandum The Weekly Report Conclusion CHAPTER 7: THE STATE OF THE UNION AND THE BUDGET PROCESS Timing Your Swing: Understanding Internal Workflows in the Executive Branch State of the Union The Budget Conclusion CHAPTER 8: POLICY IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS Implementation Tools Authorizing Tools Recommending the Right Policy Tool Conclusion CHAPTER 9: LEGISLATIVE CLEARANCE AND COORDINATION: SAPS, LRMS, AND OTHER POLICY ACRONYMS Legislative Clearance and Coordination Legislative Responsibility in the Executive Branch The Clearance Process Clearance of Agency Testimony and Reports on Pending Legislation Conclusion CHAPTER 10: POLLING AND THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS Polling and Policymaking: Myths and Realities Rebuttals to Common Criticisms Polling Basics Who Polls for the White House? Conclusion CHAPTER 11: COMMUNICATING AND MARKETING POLICY The Importance of Communicating and Marketing Policy Speechwriting Communications Press Office Conclusion PART III. CASE STUDIES CHAPTER 12: SOCIAL POLICYMAKING: WELFARE REFORM DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION Welfare Reform and the Political Process The Early Phase: Decentralization, Debate, and Deadlock Phase II: Action, Response, and Resolution Conclusion: Making the Process Work CHAPTER 13: ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING I: THE CLINTON ECONOMIC PLAN The Economic Plan and the Political Process Phase I: The Economic Plan and the NEC Establishing the Management Role of the NEC The NEC Process Communicating and Marketing the Economic Plan Securing Passage of the Bill Conclusion and Lessons Learned CHAPTER 14: ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING II: THE SIMPSON-BOWLES COMMISSION UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA Introduction Using the Process to Overcome a Stacked Deck Representative Membership Outreach Assigning Accountability and Putting Issues on the Table The Outcome Conclusions and Lessons for the Policymaking Process CHAPTER 15: SECURITY POLICYMAKING I: DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM UNDER GEORGE H. W. BUSH Security Crises and the Political Process Responding to the Crisis The Initial Response Containment and the Decision to Double U.S. Ground Forces Conclusion CHAPTER 16: SECURITY POLICYMAKING II: THE SURGE AND IRAQ WAR UNDER GEORGE W. BUSH Changing Policy The Unpredictability of Being an Honest Broker Sparking Debate and Incubating Ideas Breaking Some China Presenting New Ideas Promoting the President’s Agenda Conclusion PART IV. SCENARIOS CHAPTER 17: PRACTICE SCENARIOS Practice Scenarios GLOSSARY INDEX