American Public Policy

Federal Domestic Policy Achievements and Failures, 1901 to 2022

Dennis W. Johnson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781032276144
• eBook ISBN: 9781000631142
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: American Government
• Index: Politics & International Relations

This is a sweeping narrative of American domestic public policy—its triumphs, struggles, and failures over the past 120 years. In a larger sense, it is a reflection on how the United States has grown and matured, faced challenges and opportunities, and how its federal leaders and policymakers have responded or failed to confront pressing problems. Moreover, American Public Policy addresses the hurdles and challenges that still lie ahead.

Four critical questions are posed and answered. First, what were the most significant adversities endured by the American people? Second, what were the landmark domestic policies crafted by the president, enacted by Congress, or issued in Supreme Court decisions? Third, what did they fail to do? Finally, how well have federal policymakers met the key challenges facing America: income inequality, racism, financial crises, terrorist attacks, climate change, gun violence, and other pressures? And what do we still need to do?

This book reaches out to students of public policy, American government, US history, and contemporary affairs, as well as to citizens, journalists, and policy practitioners.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Endorsements
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• About the Author
• Photos
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Part 1 The Early Years of the Twentieth Century
• Part II The War Years, Post-War and Modern America
• Part III Polarization, Growing Inequality, and Difficult Choices
• Appendix A: Stresses on Society
• Appendix B: Key Policies, 1900–2021
• Appendix C: Policies Delayed or Denied
• Index