Incrementalism and Policymaking in the USA [electronic resource] : Adaptations for a Partisan Age / by Michael T. Hayes.

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.