Abstract:
The relevance of Harold Lasswell for public policy studies is undeniable. His extensive research has stimulated many new contributions, particularly in relation to the concepts of policy science and policy orientation. While he is widely acknowledged as the starting point for a new field of knowledge, the dual construct has not been studied in depth for a long time. However, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in this topic, which has ontological implications for the field. By reviewing the literature, I argue that this new debate can be understood through three analytical lenses: democracy, pragmatism, and criticality. This exploration has the potential to expand research and teaching opportunities in the Brazilian context.
Keywords:
Harold Lasswell; policy science; policy orientation; policy field