While this discussion of some of the dominant theories of the policy process forms
the conclusion to this book, this is just a taste of the ideas contained in these rich and
complex theories of the policy process, and no summary of this sort could do justice to
these models. Second, the development of theory continues apace. While these are the
major theoretical traditions under which policy process scholars have worked over the
past twenty to twenty-five years, many scholars have isolated particular aspects of these
theories and have refined and modified them. It is indeed possible that these refinements
and modifications could yield yet another round of highly sophisticated theory building
in the field. Finally, this is not the last word because it is my hope that you can find, in
these theories, ways of thinking about what is most important to you in your studies and
work in the policy process. What this means will be unique to your individual approach
to policy studies and to your motivations for studying policy. For those with a theoretical
bent, I hope this book and the materials I cite will spark your interest in the field and
induce you to read and think broadly about the policy process. For those who plan to
become participants in the policy process—and this may include anyone with an interest
in public affairs, whether one is an academic, a professional analyst, or a civic-minded
citizen—I hope you can adapt all the models we have described here to help you think
about what is most important in the policy process, particularly if they help you make
sound political arguments based on sound logic, good evidence, and strong rhetoric. If
these models in this book help you, your allies, and even your opponents think about
how policy is made—and how you can get involved to make better policy—then this
enterprise has most assuredly been worth the effort.