Filling a void in the study of policy and politics, this volume blends an introductory perspective to policy making with a traditional treatment of comparative government and politics. The text traces policy evolution and development in individual nations and then discusses similarities, differences and discernable patterns. The straightforward presentation is designed to provide readers with a greater understanding of cross-national policy learning while integrating the study of public policy with mainstream comparative politics. Studying public policy from a comparative perspective, this volume examines the nature of public policy within Brazil, the Federal Republic of Germany, Britain, Japan, Sweden and the U.S. For those interested in understanding the political and governmental setting that produces policy.