Moving to the second half of the definition, demarcating the object of research as 'policy processes', output and outcomes' enables the examination of not only the 'positive' activity of decision-making, but also of decisions which are not made (since these are also part of the policy process). This book thus follows Feldman's (1978:300) injunction that 'inaction:policy', since it, as With policy-making, involves the use of government control. For the purpose of this book, 'policy' is not restricted to thactivities of governments but includes the activities of non- or quasi-stat actors, where these are sanctioned by governments. The book follow Parsons (1996:14) in distinguishing policy, 'an attempt to define an structure a rational basis for action or inaction' , from 'administration which need not be impelled by such an explicit in tention.