Means, Motives, and Opportunities: How Executives and Interest Groups Set Public Policy

Means, Motives, and Opportunities explores how states spend public money by examining governmental structure, executive power, and interest group competition. It argues that policymaking is influenced by policymakers' means, motives, and opportunities for change, and provides a detailed account of budget-making in the US.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Means, Motives, and Opportunities delves into the intricate dynamics of how states allocate public funds, shedding light on the interplay between governmental structure, executive power, and the competitive dynamics of interest groups. Christian Breunig and Chris Koski posit that policymaking is not solely driven by policymakers' means (powers) but also by their motives (issues) and opportunities (interest group competition) for change. Through a comprehensive analysis spanning over twenty-five years of data across all fifty US states, four in-depth case studies, and numerous examples of budget battles, the book offers a vivid portrayal of the budget-making environment. Governors, as powerful figures, face the challenging task of balancing the preferences of various interest groups with their own, all while striving to achieve a roughly balanced budget.

While governors possess significant authority, the extent to which they can bring about change is significantly influenced by the competitive dynamics of interest groups. By demonstrating the importance of means, motives, and opportunities, the book underscores how spending decisions at the state level reverberate across nearly every facet of American life. It sheds light on the complex web of relationships, power struggles, and compromises that shape fiscal policy and its impact on citizens, communities, and the broader economy.

The book's insights are particularly relevant in today's political landscape, where the distribution of power and resources is increasingly complex and contentious. It provides valuable lessons for policymakers, scholars, and citizens alike, as it encourages a deeper understanding of the factors that shape public spending and the potential for meaningful reform. By exploring the interplay between means, motives, and opportunities, Means, Motives, and Opportunities offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing and understanding state budgeting and its implications for American society.

Weight: 546g
ISBN-13: 9781009428590