Overview

Governments have always required large public organizations, or bureaucracies, to deliver on their promises. Yet most people leading and managing those agencies lack understanding of the full toolkit of values, insights and findings that are necessary. Considering how public administration can learn from a wide range of disciplines ranging from history and the humanities to management and the social sciences, Marc Holzer delineates new ways of transforming organizations and building trust in governments. Reflecting upon the well-established field of studies on public administration, this book examines how it might reposition itself as society’s necessary and best investment. Concise and timely, the book first draws on the arts and humanities for portrayals of bureaucracy’s unintended impacts, before moving to highlight that public organizations must deliver on governmental promises to build trust with their stakeholders, outlining how willful blindness can result in organizational disasters. Holzer concludes by confronting the popular notion that governments should be run according to the principles of the private sector, and provides an insightful rethinking of how public administration should be practiced. Demonstrating the full range of competencies necessary to manage the public sector, Rethinking Public Administration will be essential reading for all scholars and students of public administration and management, public policy, government and political science. Providing a practical approach to the topic, it will also be advantageous to policymakers and other actors involved in the public sector.

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9781789907087

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Reviews

'Building upon his vast experiences Marc Holzer rethinks public administration. In combining a pragmatic logic of performance with an ethical logic of appropriateness he manages convincingly to show how to rebuild a trustworthy and resilient public service, owned by all societal stakeholders. This book demonstrates clearly that rethinking and rebuilding is desirable and feasible.' -- Geert Bouckaert, KU Leuven Public Governance Institute, Belgium 'In his exceptional, path-breaking book, Marc Holzer addresses critical, recurring themes in public administration: rebuilding public trust and recognizing the good in bureaucratic behavior. This book challenges the common, disparaging misrepresentation of public servants by acknowledging that they do not operate in a vacuum but are integral partners with a broad array of disparate bodies. Holzer offers suggestions for research that will rebuild public trust and promote the remarkable work of public servants.' -- Norma M. Riccucci, Rutgers University, Newark, US 'Rethinking Public Administration shines a bright and welcome light on public services and public missions for our times. Government is and remains essential. This well-written book helps readers increase public trust and strengthen communities; it is steeped in modern practices and much-needed wisdom. Holzer is a leader in the field and this book is essential reading for everyone dealing with today's turbulent and unsettled contexts.' -- Evan Berman, Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Brazil

Author Information

Marc Holzer, Professor Emeritus and Founding Dean, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University; Distinguished Research Professor, Institute for Public Service, Suffolk University-Boston; Elected Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration, US

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