This book examines the process by which national budget priorities are set in the United States, focusing on the 1971 budget as a case study. The authors, drawing on their expertise in public administration and economics, analyze the complex interplay of political forces, bureaucratic procedures, and economic considerations that shape budgetary decisions. They present a framework for understanding how competing demands on government resources are reconciled and how policy goals are translated into fiscal allocations.

The book is regarded as a significant contribution to the study of public budgeting and policy-making. It provides a detailed and analytical account of the mechanisms through which governmental spending priorities are established. The work is likely to be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and students of American government and economics seeking to understand the intricacies of the federal budget process.