Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Renowned public policy scholar B. Guy Peters presents an introduction that untangles multidisciplinary approaches and condenses them into a sharp, functional overview of the field. This book outlines three vital components of policy design: understanding the causes behind the problem being addressed; identifying means of intervention, including selection and implementation of policy instruments; and evaluation and development of a strong policy knowledge base. By considering policymaking as a problem of design analogous to architecture or engineering, it approaches the core issue of how decision-makers can make effective choices. This clear and timely book captures the essence of an evolving field from both academic and practical perspectives. Students and established scholars alike will find the book to be a key resource for framing contemporary issues in public policy.