Semiotic Analysis and Public Policy

Christopher L. Atkinson is Assistant Professor in the Public Administration program at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, USA. He serves as contributing faculty in the doctoral program at Walden University and has taught courses in the School of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, and at Unity College, Unity, Maine. He received his PhD from Florida Atlantic University, and BA and MPA degrees from George Washington University in Washington, DC. His research interests include public management and policy studies, public budgeting and procurement, regulation, and emergency management.

• Preface: The Words Fail Us Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. Semiotic Analysis and Public Policy: Theory and Practice 3. On Filth: Food Regulation, Enforcement, and Cheese 4. A Semiotic Analysis of Green Public Procurement 5. New York City’s Conflicts of Interest Law: Compliance versus Ethical Capacity 6. Symbol and Substance in Local Government Workforce Development: 'First Source' Hiring Programs 7. By Soil, Blood, and Administration: A Narrative Analysis of German Immigration Law 8. Reforming the Affordable Care Act: A Semiotic Analysis of Tweets using LIWC 9. Economic and Energy Development and the Goal of Sustainability in Thailand: An Argumentation Analysis 10. Bridging the Gap between Intent and Practice

"In the vein of Lackoff, Atkinson’s eye-opening analysis will have you questioning what "is" really "is," and with all the intrigue of a political spy novel. The power of language to create reality is fear-inducing, and all the moreso within the context of public policy."Carole L. Jurkiewicz, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Colorado Springs"… a rich tapestry of case studies that demonstrate the lack of close linkage between intent and outcome (instrumentality) in public policy and the need for participatory democracy, informed citizenry, and responsible citizenship above and beyond the empty rhetoric that currently permeates social and political life."Governance, Nikolaos Zahariadis