AIDS The Politics and Policy of Disease

9780133686302

0133686302

Finely-focused in approach, this collection of readings addresses the AIDS crisis from a purely political, policy, and bureaucratic perspective, reflecting contemporary research on the epidemic. Encourages readers to think in terms of ";risk behavior"; and not risk groups and shows that AIDS is truly a nondiscriminating virus. Deals with the political and policy dimensions of AIDS - revealing that this epidemic offers political scientists the opportunity to ask a variety of questions about politics and power and to do so from every subfield of the discipline. Presents a broad variety of perspectives - yet explains how all share a common understanding of AIDS as a fundamentally challenging issue which calls for a highly political response. Shows that no issue-if it has socioeconomic and political implications -is outside the scope of government policy making. Discusses the politics of AIDS: ethical considerations; constitutional issues and constraints; the contradictions in delivery of public health services in a capitalist economy; the position of the disease within the current institutional and economic crisis of non-prosperous America; the actors involved in the AIDS issue arena. Examines the international-comparative dimension of the epidemic-considers how other nations have responded to the demands of AIDS. For special study on AIDS, for those in American Government, Public Policy, Public Health, Health Policy, and Interest Groups.