Definition
Instrumentalism in public policy invokes a means-ends course of action, often based in administrative process and technique, which deliberately defines public problems and their solutions with a mind toward achieving a favored societal goal (Rochefort and Cobb 1994). This emphasizes “the connection of (scientific) rationality to the conduct of life itself…the methodological attainment of a definitely given and practical end by the use of increasingly precise calculation of…means” (Adorno, quoted in Held 1980, p. 65).
Introduction
This work explores public policy and instrumentalism, with a focus on implications for public administration. First, the notion of instrumentalism in the public policy context is discussed. Next, instrumental reasoning is reviewed as a basis for language games, and obscuring of the purpose and intent of policy; ramifications for public service and its obligations are...
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Atkinson, C.L. (2019). Public Policy and Instrumentalism. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_190-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_190-2
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Public Policy and Instrumentalism- Published:
- 07 January 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_190-2
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Public Policy and Instrumentalism- Published:
- 22 November 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_190-1