JSGS Policy Change Lecture Series - Bryan Jones

Human nature is the raw material from which public policies are built. Without a proper understanding of the basics of human cognitive architectures, even the most sophisticated model of policy processes will fail. Moreover, without this understanding, policy designs will be flawed. For the most part, major approaches to public policy processes have adopted a model of human nature based in Herb Simon’s concepts of bounded and behavioral rationalities. In his lecture, Bryan Jones explores the development of these connections, and show how these connections have influenced the development of policy studies. In addition, he briefly explores their implications for policy design.

Bryan Jones is J.J. “Jake” Pickle Regent’s Chair in Congressional Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and Director of the Policy Agendas Project. His research centres on American public policy processes, including agenda-setting and decision-making.