Public Policy, Public Good, and the Law.

Peter L. Szanton

Expert InsightsPublished 1972

American government, formerly concerned with regulating private behavior, has increasingly undertaken a more positive role: to improve schooling, build housing, provide health care, and the like. In doing so, it has normally relied not on the imposition of regulation, but on the allocation of resources. Accordingly, many governmental positions formerly filled by lawyers are now occupied by persons with quantitative analytic backgrounds. This paper examines the contributions lawyers may still make to public policy and public good. It concludes that (1) elective offices will continue to be dominated by lawyers, (2) lawyers have important perspectives to contribute to policy-making, (3) a large percentage of the professionals available for government service will continue to be lawyers, (4) the private practice of law is entering a period in which needed reform will be possible, and (5) lawyers will need greater familiarity with quantitative analysis and the techniques of planning and management. 13 pp. Ref.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1972
  • Pages: 13
  • Document Number: P-4928

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Szanton, Peter L., Public Policy, Public Good, and the Law. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1972. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P4928.html.
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