The public administration theory primer

Book

The public administration theory primer / H. George Frederickson [and others].

Frederickson, H. George. (Added Author).

Summary:

The Public Administration Theory Primer explores how the science and art of public administration is definable, describable, replicable, and cumulative. The authors describe several theories and analytical approaches that contribute to what we know about policy administration and consider which are the most promising, influential, and important--both now and for the future. The extensively updated second edition includes the latest directions and developments in public administration theory. These include the rise of reporting as a means to hold bureaucracy accountable, the continuing evolution of the "hollow state" or "shadow bureaucracy" and the rise of network theory, and new psychological and biological behavioral research with important implications for decision theory and rational choice. The contributions of nearly a decade's worth of new research are woven into all the chapters, in some cases altering conclusions about the health and robustness of certain popular conceptual frameworks. --Publisher description.

Record details

ISBN: 9780813345765
ISBN: 0813345766
ISBN: 9780813345772
ISBN: 0813345774
Physical Description: viii, 308 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Edition: 2nd ed.
Publisher: Boulder, CO : Westview Press, ©2012.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:: Introduction: the possibilities of theory -- Theories of political control of bureaucracy -- Theories of bureaucratic politics -- Public institutional theory -- Theories of public management -- Postmodern theory -- Decision theory -- Rational choice theory and irrational behavior -- Theories of governance -- A bright future for theory.