This figure serves both as an overview of the process, and, to some extent, the
organization for this book. In this model public problems emerge in a society through
various means, including sudden events like disasters or through the advocacy
activities of concerned citizens and interest groups. If the issue gains sufficient
attention it is said to have reached the agenda, a process described in chapter 6.
Given the size and complexity of governance in the United States and the number
of governments—over 80,000, from the federal government to the smallest local
water district—there are lots of problems and lots of ideas on many agendas.