Review by Choice Review
Sharkansky argues that decision simplification is both commonplace and not necessarily bad. In most cases policy makers do not have the time or opportunity to make thoroughly researched, "rational" decisions because of information overload, uncertainty, or the innate complexities of the situation. Hence the decision maker often simply takes the leap. Noting that this situation is not unusual and often cannot be avoided, Sharkansky presents a list of rules of simplification that others employ as they face the same abyss: following the party line, taking incremental steps, replacing substance by slogans, serving one's constituency, and creating a crisis. The author illustrates each solution with numerous anecdotes from American and Israeli politics. He also points out that selecting a rule is itself complex and requires a subtle reading of circumstances and judgment based on personal experience. In many instances, selection of a simple solution is not a conscious act but the product of outside forces or internal compulsions that make the decision seem inevitable if not sophisticated. The key to policy "success" may end up being the ability and opportunity to interpret outcomes as planned and desirable. In short, retrospective sense making is as important as prospective prediction in this chancy public business. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and graduate students. C. T. Goodsell emeritus, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
