Innovations in Critical Policy Analysis - by Malin Rönnblom & Rosalind Edwards (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Public policy is often framed as a response to social problems rather than the cause of them. Carol Bacchi's influential 'What's the Problem Represented to Be?' (WPR) approach - first published in her 2009 book, Analysing Policy - addresses this contrast and has become an essential methodology for post-structural analysis of public policy.

This edited volume brings together leading international scholars to rethink, extend and reflect on the WPR approach in novel ways, demonstrating its applicability beyond policy documents and across diverse social science disciplines. It presents innovative perspectives on a radical methodology, making it a must-read for research methods scholars and critical policy analysts.

Engaging with multiple theories, concepts and purposes, this book provides cutting-edge insights and real-world applications that make it an essential tool for interrogating policy and power in practice.

Review Quotes

"This timely volume reflects the burgeoning of international and interdisciplinary engagements with the WPR approach for critical policy analysis. It will be an invaluable resource for researchers and policy activists." Susan Goodwin, The University of Sydney

"This expertly curated volume invites readers to rediscover the critical foundations and innovative potential of the WPR approach - an inspiring catalyst for fresh thinking and reflexivity in critical policy research." Regine Paul, University of Bergen

"As a sophisticated treatise on the existing power and latent potential of the WPR approach, this book will excite anyone interested in the political contingencies of problematisations." Rebecca Hewer, University of Edinburgh

About the Author

Malin Rönnblom is Professor of Political Science at Karlstad University.

Rosalind Edwards is Professor of Sociology at the University of Southampton.