Foundations of Public Service: E Pluribus Unum

This pioneering work is designed to serve as a basic text for introductory courses in public administration, addressing the needs of both experienced practitioners and entry-level public servants. It is grounded in the political and ethical tensions inherent in the American constitutional form of governance and emphasizes the importance of public administration in ensuring legal and political accountability, local public administration, the American political economy, and balancing competing values to secure a regime of ordered liberty. Every chapter has been thoroughly updated, with particular attention paid to chapters on budgeting and revenue, e-government and the digital divide, shared power and the rise of wicked problems, and the future of public administration in the United States amidst deep polarization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 550 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Designed to serve as a comprehensive text for introductory courses in public administration, this pioneering work offers students a clear-eyed understanding of the essential management functions covered in most standard textbooks, with two notable distinctions. Firstly, it is written to cater to the needs of both experienced practitioners and entry-level public servants. Case examples seamlessly bridge the content-rich environment of practitioners with the principles of public administration sought by pre-service students. Secondly, the discussion of management practices is firmly rooted in the political and ethical tensions inherent in the American constitutional form of governance. This innovative approach reflects the authors' belief that public administration operates as an integral part of the country's political traditions, thereby helping to define the political culture.

Key themes in this third edition include:

• An emphasis on the ways in which public administration and its agents play a critical role in ensuring legal and political accountability of the political system.
• An exploration of local public administration as the backbone of American democracy, requiring a close working partnership between part-time elected officials and career administrators.
• A careful examination of the ways in which the American political economy requires administrators who are skilled at co-producing the common good with voluntary associations, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other governmental entities.
• An understanding that public administration plays a critical role with its prudential judgments in balancing the competing values necessary to secure a regime of ordered liberty.

Every chapter has been thoroughly updated, with particular attention paid to chapters on:

• The changing nature of public administration and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.
• The role of public administration in addressing social and economic inequality.
• The impact of technology on public administration and the opportunities it presents.
• The ethics and values of public administration and the importance of professional integrity.
• The role of public administration in promoting public health and safety.
• The relationship between public administration and international development.

By incorporating these key themes and updating the content, this third edition of Public Administration: An Introduction remains a valuable resource for students seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to public administration, this book will provide you with the tools and insights necessary to succeed in your career.

Weight: 1048g
Dimension: 253 x 177 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032110066
Edition number: 3 New edition