Synopses & Reviews
Praise for previous editions"The Public Administration Theory Primer is a succinct, clearly written text that engages thematically with historical and contemporary developments within public administration. It leaves readers with a clear understanding of how and why theoretical lenses emerged, and leads to critical thinking regarding the applicability of some theoretical foundations today.”
Staci M. Zavattaro, Mississippi State University
I have not found any other work that comes close to competing with this book for its purpose, which is to integrate in one volume the intellectual development of the field of public administration. I strongly encourage you to consider the primer if you are a serious student of the interconnectedness of public administration.”
Alejandro Rodriguez, University of Texas, Arlington
In all honesty, I revere this book. Many graduate students refer to the text as their bible.” It is an intellectual treasure, headed by a masterful scholar.”
Casey LaFrance, Western Illinois University
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 approachesfrom public institutional theory to theories of governanceand consider which are the most promising, influential, and important for the field. This text paints a complete 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 coverage of governments and governance, feminist theory, emotional labor theory, and grounded research methodology. Expanded chapter conclusions and a brand-new online supplement with sample comprehensive exam questions and summary tables make this edition an even more valuable resource for all public administration students.
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, Lincoln.
Christopher W. Larimer is associate professor of political science at the University of Northern Iowa.
Michael J. Licari is associate professor of political science at the University of Northern Iowa.
Review
In all honesty, I revere this book. Many graduate students refer to the text as their bible.” It is the number one recommended resource for preparing students for comprehensive exams. My students regard it with equal deference and appreciation, saying that it is the source that they use to make sense of the hundreds of readings I assign in the seminar. This book is more than just a work of scholarship. It is a companion that provides constant reassurance along the path of my career, and without it I am all but certain I would never have earned my doctoral degree or found inspiration for the research questions I pursue as a faculty member. Words cannot begin to express how many times this book has sparked a research question or helped me to articulate a puzzle to work on [
] I would recommend this book in a heartbeat. As mentioned above, this is a succinct introduction to almost every major idea in the discipline of PA in the past 130 years. This book is an absolute necessity for graduate students (especially in comps preparation) and scholars (in fostering new research ideas). The book is an intellectual treasure, headed by a masterful scholar, which provides a sense of comfort and awe.”
Casey LaFrance, Western Illinois University
"The Public Administration Theory Primer is a succinct, clearly written text that engages thematically with historical and contemporary developments within public administration. Its broad topics leave readers with a clear understanding of how and why theoretical lenses emerged, and lead to critical thinking regarding the applicability of some theoretical foundations today.”
Staci M. Zavattaro, University of Central Florida
I have not found a better book or any other work that comes close to competing with this book for its purpose, which in my mind is to integrate in one volume the intellectual development of the field of public administration.[
] This is the book that I should have used during my doctoral studies in the late 1990s. We studied many theories and concepts, but none of the assigned readings made any effort to integrate and synthesize the theories into a plot of some sort. I found myself unable to critically use the material because I was learning facts and not how to thinkI was working with the pieces of this complex puzzle, but I was not aware of the big picture. It was only after I started teaching that I discovered The Public Administration Theory Primer. It has made my teaching of the subject enjoyable, refreshing, and rewarding. I strongly encourage you to consider the primer if you are a serious student of the interconnectedness of public administration.”
Alejandro Rodriguez, University of Texas, Arlington
Synopsis
A comprehensive guide to the key theories in contemporary public administration, from rational choice to postmodern approaches.
Synopsis
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 approachesfrom public institutional theory to theories of governanceand 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.
About the Author
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, Lincoln.
Christopher W. Larimer is associate professor of political science at the University of Northern Iowa.
Michael J. Licari is Associate Provost for Academic Affair, Dean of Graduate College, and associate professor of political science at the University of Northern Iowa.
Table of Contents
PrefaceChapter 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
Allisons Paradigm of Bureaucratic Politics
Politics, Power, and Organization
Networks and Bureaucratic Politics
Representative Bureaucracy
Conclusions
Summary
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
Conclusions
Summary
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
Conclusions
Summary
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?
Summary
Notes
Chapter 7 Decision Theory
Introduction
The Evolution of Decision Theory
Revisiting the Logic of Consequences
Bounded Decision Rationality and the Logic of Appropriateness
Conclusions
Summary
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
Conclusions
Summary
Notes
]Chapter 9 Theories of Governance
Introduction: Public Administrations 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
Conclusions
Summary
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