Matthew Cahn

Professor
Department of Political Science
California State University Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA  91330-8254
matthew.cahn@csun.edu
(818) 677-3488 
 
 

Books

Linking Science to Decision Making in Environmental Policy:  Bridging the Disciplinary Gap
(The MIT Press, forthcoming)

This book examines the role of science in moderating interest-based politics in resource  management and environmental stewardship.  The manuscript builds a model of science based policy processes where management decisions are based on stakeholder input but constrained by scientific efficacy. Ultimately, the project is intended to develop a protocol to maximize cross-disciplinary decision making in environmental policy.

Click here to see sample chapter.

Strategic Planning in Environmental Regulation: A Policy Approach that Works
(co-authored with Sheldon Kamieniecki and Steve Cohen, The MIT 
Press, 2005)

          This book evaluates the variety of strategic policy tools available
          to academics and regulators with an emphasis on alternatives to
          command and control approaches. Further, as a book on strategic 
          planning incorporating stakeholder processes, the text adds to the 
          newly emerging literature on negotiated rulemaking (neg/reg) by 
          providing a useful model for facilitated negotiation along regulatory
          guidelines. Finally, the book provides the most substantive policy
          history and case study on the UST and MTBE issue. 

          Click here to see sample chapter.

Rethinking California: Politics and Policy in the Golden State
(co-authored with H. Eric Schockman, and David Shafie, Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 2001).

This book explores the evolving role of state and local politics in California as the state emerges as a dominant trend setter, establishing models and approaches that are emulated throughout the nation.

Click here to see sample chapter.

California: An Owners Manual
(co-authored with H. Eric Schockman, Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 1997).

This book provides an overview of Politics , Culture, and Institutions in California.  It was designed as a companion to the California Politics requirement of Title V.

Click here to see sample chapter.

Thinking About the Environment: Readings on Politics, Property, and the Physical World
(edited with Rory O'Brien; NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 1996)

This book integrates classic and contemporary writings on nature and the environment with analysis and commentary in an effort to develop a theoretical bridge between thinking about the environment and acting to improve environmental quality.

Click here to see sample chapter.

Environmental Deceptions:  The Tension between Liberalism and Environmental Policymaking in the United States
(Albany:  State University of New York Press, 1995)

This book brings together normative analyses and empirical data to explain the structural limitations liberal society places on environmental improvement. I argue that cultural ambivalence toward communitarian ethics has made the traditional environmental infrastructure problematic.  The book exposes the subtle tensions that often lead to policy failure, and suggests that traditional policy models are insufficient to resolve existing environmental dilemmas in air, water, waste, and energy.

Click here to see sample chapter.

Public Policy:  The Essential Readings
(edited with Stella Theodoulou; Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 1995).

This book brings together several classic and contemporary articles focusing on the formation and implementation of public policy.  Throughout the text the policy game metaphor is utilized as a unifying theme.

Click here to see sample chapter.

Articles, Book Chapters, and Book Reviews

Review of Sheldon Kamieniecki, George Gonzalez, and Robert Vos, "Flashpoints in Environmental Policymaking: Controversies in Achieving Sustainability" (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1997). In "The American Political Science Review", June 1999.

"Politics and Policy in California," (with H. Eric Schockman) in "California Dreams and Realities: Readings for Critical Thinkers and Writers."  2nd Edition. Sonia Maasik and Jack Soloman, eds., (Boston: St. Martins, 1999)

"Surfing Bytes: Utilizing the Internet and Your Computer for Social Science Research" with Paula Lackie and Stella Theodoulou) in "Methods for Political Inquiry: The Discipline, Philosophy and Analysis of Politics."  Stella Theodoulou and Rory O'Brien, eds., (Englewood Cliffs, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 1999).

Review of Peter DeLeon, "Democracy and the Policy Sciences" (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1997) and Anne Larason Schneider & Helen Ingram, "Policy Design for Democracy" (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press, 1997).  In "The American Political Science Review," June 1998.

"The Green Critique," in "Thinking About the Environment." Matthew Cahn and Rory O;Brien, eds.,  (NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 1996)

"Accommodating the Future: Strategies for Resolving the Environmental Quagmire," in "Thinking About the Environment."  (NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 1996)

"What's Theory Got to Do With It?  An Introduction to Thinking About the Environment," (with Rory O'Brien,) in "Thinking About the Environment: Political Theory and Environmental Policymaking." (NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 1996)

Review of Lawrence E. Susskind, "Environmental Diplomacy: Negotiating More Effective Global Agreements" (NY: Oxford University Press, 1994).  In "Political Science Quarterly",  Summer 1995.

"The Policy Game," in "Public Policy: The Essential Readings."  Stella Theodoulou and Matthew Cahn, eds.,  (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995)

"The Players:  Institutional and Non-Institutional Actors in Public Policy," in "Public Policy: The Essential Readings"  (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1995)

"The Environmental Policy Bureaucracy:  A Western Perspective,"  (with Sheldon Kamieniecki), in "Environmental Politics and Policy in the West." Zachary Smith, ed., (Kendall-Hunt, 1993).

"Western Governments and Environmental Policy," with Sheldon Kamieniecki and Eugene Goss), in "Politics, Power and Public Policy in the Contemporary American West."  Clive Thomas, ed.,  (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1991).