How do the public policies of the United States stack up against those of Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom? Comparing Public Policies combines a conceptual discussion of policy-making with an examination of seven specific policy areas using a cross-national perspective. It first considers the role of cultural, economic, political, and institutional influences on policy-making, and then looks systematically at seven major issue areas: immigration, fiscal policy, taxation, health care, social policy, education, and the environment.The book will serve as a gateway reference tool for students conducting research in comparative public policy and should be carried in libraries at colleges and universities where international studies courses are taught.