It also advocates a return to realism in which policymakers on both the left and right recognize the superiority of incrementalism, as well as a new system of partisan incrementalism through which political parties compete by offering distinctive incremental alternatives on major policy issues.

1. Incrementalism, Realism, and Idealism.- 2. A Realist Case for Incrementalism.- 3. Partisan Incrementalism: Realism within a Madisonian Context.- 4. Normal incrementalism: Theory and Application to Welfare Reform.- 5. Incrementalism and Political Inequality.- 6. Conclusion.

This book examines incrementalism as a policymaking process in the USA. It provides an overview of incrementalism as a theoretical concept, assesses historical and contemporary attitudes toward it, and considers it as a viable alternative to rationality. The book argues that incrementalism is both an inevitable and desirable method of policymaking, despite seeming ill suited to the current system of highly ideological and polarized political parties. It also advocates a return to realism in which policymakers on both the left and right recognize the superiority of incrementalism, as well as a new system of partisan incrementalism through which political parties compete by offering distinctive incremental alternatives on major policy issues. The book will appeal to scholars and students of American public policy, public administration and politics.Michael T. Hayes is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Colgate University, USA.

Michael Hayes has done it again, delivering another important contribution to the literature about public policy in the United States. In Incrementalism and Policymaking in the USA, Hayes makes an important argument: that incrementalism is not just the way things usually work in American government, but the way things should work.  With patient logic and clear prose, Hayes makes a compelling case for realism in our policy debates.  Significantly, he shows how incrementalism even makes sense in a time of intense political polarization. This book should be required reading for every American politician before they take office.  - Greg Berman, Co-editor, Vital City"In Incrementalism and Policymaking in the USA" Michael Hayes makes the classic case for gradualism in policymaking as well as anyone has done. He also illustrates it with welfarereform and other recent national issues. And he writes very well. This is a fine primer for how most legislation actually gets done in America. "- Professor Lawrence M. Mead, New York University (NYU)Michael Hayes has already written several interesting works on incrementalism, but this book surpasses them. As well as being a discussion of policymaking, and the relevance of incremental solutions for difficult problems, this is a work of political theory. Anyone interested in public policy, and in governance more generally, whether a realist or an idealist, should read and profit from this book.-Professor B. Guy Peters, University of Pittsburg

Examines incrementalism as a policymaking process in the USA Assesses historical and contemporary attitudes toward incrementalism Argues that incrementalism is both an inevitable and desirable method of policymaking

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