Rethinking Public Administration: The Case for Management

When we think about government, our thoughts are almost invariably about politics. Politicians deserve the attention they get, serving as they do at the top of federal, state, and local government. But there is a downside to focusing on politics, which is that we pay little attention to the management of our public institutions. Author Richard Clay Wilson, Jr., a former city manager, argues that the career managers who actually operate the entities of government have the capacity to significantly upgrade governmental performance, Before that can happen, though, we musty rethink the roles of elected officials and career managers. This book points the way. Praise for Rethinking Public Administration: “The reaction of my MPA students (mostly in-service professionals) to Wilson’s book was immediate and positive. They found it more than readable — it was insightful and right in tune with their experience. Rethinking Public Administration had a greater impact on the course than all the other readings I assigned.” Melvin J. Dubnick Professor of Political Science, University of New Hampshire Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration “I wish every elected official and career manager would read this wonderful book. There is no ‘same old’ to be found here. The author’s prescriptions would reshape and revitalize the institutions of government.” Bruce A. McPherson former Secretary of State, Senator, and Assemblymember, State of California “Wilson’s provocative book provides the best description I've seen of the respective roles of elected officials and administrators—a topic I believe is understated if discussed at all in PA courses. His discussion of the political context of public organizations provides instructors with content that is not readily available in other sources—content that is critical to preparing students for the ‘real world’ situations they will be working in.” Mary R. Hamilton Senior Executive in Residence, University of Nebraska Omaha School of Public Administration Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration Read more