Book review: Radhakrishan Sapru, Public Policy: A Contemporary Perspective
| Author | Meenakshi Hooja |
| Published date | 01 March 2019 |
| Date | 01 March 2019 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0019556118820389 |
| Subject Matter | Book Reviews |
Indian Journal of Public
Administration
65(1) 247–266, 2019
© 2019 IIPA
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DOI:10.1177/0019556118820389
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Book Reviews
Radhakrishan Sapru, Public Policy: A Contemporary Perspective.
New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2017, xxi + 351 pp., `395 (paperback).
ISBN: 9789386062178.
Public policy is a vital aspect of governance and public administration. As demo-
cracy gets its roots deeper and deeper, there is greater awareness among people in
general, to know what the state and the government, including the legislature, the
executive and judiciary, have in store for them. How are people going to be
affected by their decisions and what in turn will be the benefits and costs to them,
their rights duties and obligations arising out of official policies? There are various
issues of personal interest like those of maternal and child care, education, health
and medical treatment, family, marriage and inheritance, old age, citizenship and
employment in various sectors. Floods and droughts, earthquakes, transport
and communications, aviation, films and entertainment, art and culture, tourism,
commerce and industry, forests and environment, banking and credit, economic
growth and defence are also matters of interest for people as they affect their day-
to-day and long-term life. In view of this, the people show keen interest in the
public policies that impact them, as in a democratic set up, they can voice their
views and concerns for a suitable redress by the concerned authorities.
In this context, public policy is emerging as an important aspect of providing a
guide and framework for decision-making by the state, affecting large sections of
society as it has a professed and fair medium- and long-term frame and its impact
could be for a considerable period of time.
What is reassuring to citizens, as well as foreigners, is their ability to understand
the public policy in general and also on a particular subject of their interest.
This facilitates them to take better and sustainable individual-, group- or community-
based decisions. Therefore, they prefer well-laid-down, transparent and easy-to-
understand and follow public policies which are not changed at official whims
or fancies. At the same time, individuals, groups, lobbies, organisations and
associations do have a say in the process of policy-making, to protect and further
their interests.
The author of the book under review, Dr Radhakrishan Sapru, is a retired
Professor of Public Administration from Panjab University. He is an eminent
scholar and has done exceptionally well, considering his Public Policy: A
Contemporary Perspective is a text which can take the reader and particularly the
student learner, through a wide gamut of public policy. These aspects include the
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