The public administration theory primer / H. George Frederickson, Kevin B. Smith, Christopher W. Larimer, Michael J. Licari.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frederickson, H. George, author.

Smith, Kevin B., author.

Larimer, Christopher W. (Christopher Wesley), author.

Licari, Michael J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public administration--United States.

Public administration.

United States.

Physical Description:

x, 310 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

Third edition.

Place of Publication:

Boulder, CO : Westview Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group, [2016]

Summary:

"The Public Administration Theory Primer explores how the science and art of public administration is definable, describable, replicable, and cumulative. The authors survey a broad range of theories and analytical approaches--from public institutional theory to theories of governance--and consider which are the most promising, influential, and important for the field. This book paints a full picture of how these theories contribute to, and explain, what we know about public administration today. The third edition is fully revised and updated to reflect the latest developments and research in the field including more coverage of governments and governance, feminist theory, emotional labor theory, and grounded research methodology. Expanded chapter conclusions, additional real-world application examples throughout, and a brand-new online supplement with sample comprehensive exam questions and summary tables make this an even more valuable resource for all public administration students"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: Preface

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Possibilities of Theory

Why Do We Need Theory in Public Administration?

The Uses of Theory

Is a Useful and Reliable Public Administration Theory Possible?

Some Contemporary Theories of Public Administration

Notes

Chapter 2 Theories of Political Control of Bureaucracy

Introduction: What Are Theories of Control of Bureaucracy?

The Difference Between Politics and Administration

Are Bureaucracies Out of Control?

Agency Theory

Conclusions

Summary

Chapter 3 Theories of Bureaucratic Politics

Introduction: What Are Theories of Bureaucratic Politics?

Administrative Theory as Political Theory

Allison's Paradigm of Bureaucratic Politics

Politics, Power, and Organization

Networks and Bureaucratic Politics

Representative Bureaucracy

Chapter 4 Public Institutional Theory

Institutional Theory

The Basic Idea

From Organizations to Institutions

Hierarchy

Alternatives to Hierarchy

Comparing Institutional Forms

High-Reliability Systems

Low-Reliability Systems and Their Improvement

System Fragmentation

Garbage Cans and Rent Seeking

The Diffusion of Innovation

Chapter 5 Theories of Public Management

Introduction: Developments in Public Management Theory

Traditional Management Theory Thrust Forward

Leadership as Public Management

Managing by Contract

Governance

Chapter 6 Postmodern Theory

Organizational Humanism and Postpositivism

Postmodern Perspectives in Public Administration

Looking for Postmodern Public Administration Theory

Conclusions: Fading Away or Still Useful as a Theory?

Chapter 7 Decision Theory

Introduction

The Evolution of Decision Theory

Revisiting the Logic of Consequences

Bounded Decision Rationality and the Logic of Appropriateness

Chapter 8 Rational Choice Theory and Irrational Behavior

Introduction: What Is Rational Choice Theory?

The Rational, Self-Maximizing Bureaucrat

Trust and the Irrational Bureaucrat

The Self-Maximizing Citizen and the Tiebout Hypothesis

Rational Choice as the New Orthodoxy

]Chapter 9 Theories of Governance

Introduction: Public Administration's Need for a Theory of Governance

A New Model of Governance >

Governance as the New Public Management

Governance as a Unifying Framework for Public Administration?

Collaborative Governance Theory

Chapter 10 Conclusion: A Bright Future for 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

Theory in Public Administration

References

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780813349664

0813349664

OCLC:

919339580