The Public Administration Theory Primer

by Frederickson, H. George; Smith, Kevin B.; Larimer, Christopher W.; Licari, Michael J.

• ISBN13: 9780813345765
• ISBN10: 0813345766
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-12-27
• Publisher: Westview Pr

Summary

The Public Administration Theory Primerexplores how the science and art of policy 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.

Author Biography

H. George Frederickson is distinguished professor of public administration at the University of Kansas. Kevin B. Smith is professor of political science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoin. Christopher W. Larimer is associate professor of political science at the University of Northers lowa. Michael J. Licari is associate professor of political science at the University of Northern lowa.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction: The Possibilities of Theory	p. 1
Theories of Political Control of Bureaucracy	p. 15
Theories of Bureaucratic Politics	p. 41
Public Institutional Theory	p. 67
Theories of Public Management	p. 97
Postmodern Theory	p. 131
Decision Theory	p. 165
Rational Choice Theory and Irrational Behavior	p. 193
Theories of Governance	p. 219
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Theory?	p. 245
References	p. 267
Index	p. 291
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