Systematic Thinking for Social Action

Howcanweidentifywhobenefitsfromgovernmentprogramsaimedatsolvingoursocialproblemandwhopaysforthem?Withsomanyproblems,howcanweallocatescarcefundstopromotethemaximumwell-beingofourcitizens?Inthisbook,originallypresentedasthethirdseriesofH.RowanGaitherLecturesinSystemsScienceattheUniversityofCalifornia(Berkeley).AliceM.Rivlinexaminesthecontributionsthatsystematicanalysishasmadetodecisionmakinginthegovernmentssocialactionprogramseducation,health,manpowertraining,andincomemaintenance.Drawingonherownexperienceingovernment,Mrs.Rivlinindicateswheretheanalystshavebeenhelpfulinfindingsolutionsandwherebecauseofinadequatedataormethodstheyhavebeennohelpatall.Mrs.Rivlinconcludesbyurgingthewidespreadimplementationofsocialexperimentationandacceptabilitybythefederalgovernment.Thefirstinsuchawayastopermitvalidconclusionsabouttheireffectiveness;thesecondwouldencouragetheadoptionofbetterwaysofdeliveringservicesbymakingthosewhoadministerprogramsresponsivetotheirclients.Underlyingbothistherequirementfromcomprehensive,reliableperformancemeasures.