The Politics of Bureaucracy

The seventh edition of this popular textbook provides readers with a comprehensive and updated discussion of challenges and recent developments in the field of public bureaucracy. Modern public administration is placed in its political and intellectual context and analyzed in a skillful manner with insights into the challenges and opportunities of big contemporary government. - Per Laegreid, University of Bergen, Norway At a time when political parties and politicians in democratic nations seem tone-deaf to concerns citizens have with government, Peter's classic text brings welcome insights into the inner workings of public institutions and the gargantuan changes that have occurred over the last forty years. His thoughtful discourse on the nature of public service, especially with regard to public bureaucracies, reminds us to root our understandings of the behavior of public bureaucrats within the cultural and political systems that bind them to both their political leaders and their citizenry. The comparative approach to providing such insight demonstrates his central thesis: the collective action problems that have helped to increase the size, role, and reach of governments around the world aren't going anywhere. Peters helps us to see where we've been so that we will better navigate the road ahead. - Jill L. Tao, Incheon National University, South Korea A comprehensively up-dated edition with impressive coverage of public administration, topic-wise and globally. A wealth of comparative insights and analysis. Essential reading for all who seek to understand the structures and dynamics of the state, government and governance in diverse contexts. - Ian Thynne, Australian National University, Australia