Public Administration: An Introduction

Marc Holzer and Richard W. Schwester have written a textbook that is distinct from the dozens of introductory public administration books now in the academic marketplace. Their vision is a unique blend of substance and style—a text that is both informative and enlivening, capturing the evolving nature of the field. The book explores the traditional, essential elements of public administration such as organizational theory, human resource management, leadership, program evaluation and policy analysis, budgeting, and the politics of public administration. Artwork depicts bureaucratic issues, reinforcing each chapter’s themes and creating an informative and aesthetically engaging textbook, while charts, graphs, diagrams, and illustrations add dimensions to the text’s overviews of public administration. New to this edition are three sections that provide a natural flow and progression of the material. Section I provides the theoretical construct of public administration, section II provides actionable material for public administrators, while section III deals with the future of public organizations through the lens of performance improvement and the techniques available to achieve such improvement. Each chapter is complemented by key terms and supplementary readings, and video cases and simulations offer a gateway to engaging students, encouraging them to immerse themselves in virtual problem-solving experiences—testing theory and skills through real-time practical applications. Students will deal with issues related to unemployment, budgeting, the environment, crime and education. The book is accompanied by a comprehensive online Instructors' Manual, complete with PowerPoint slides for each chapter, case studies, relevant YouTube videos to illustrate chapter content, additional artwork, webinars, and relevant films and tv shows to better engage students in important themes of public service. This text, then, is very much a dynamic learning system designed to enliven the teaching of public administration, improve the learning experience, and help motivate students of public service to become problem-solving public servants.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Foundations of Public Administration 1. What Public Administration Entails 2. Organization Theory and Management 3. Politics and Public Administration 4. Intergovernmental Relations 5. Ethics Part II: Managing People and Administering Public Services 6. Human Resource Management 7. Public Decision Making 8. Leadership and Organizational Change 9. Public Budgeting and Fiscal Policy Part III: Improving Efficiency and Efficacy of Public Organizations 10. Performance Measurement and Improvement 11. Data Collection 12. Program Evaluation and Policy Assessment 13. Technology and Social Media 14. The Future of Public Administration

About the Author :
Marc Holzer (PhD, University of Michigan) is Distinguished Professor at the Institute for Public Service, Suffolk University-Boston. He was previously University Professor and Founding Dean at the School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University. Prof. Holzer is extensively published, is a Past President of the American Society for Public Administration and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Richard W. Schwester (PhD, Rutgers University) is Associate Professor of Public Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY). His research centers on the use of technology in government, inter-local shared services, and police and emergency service delivery models. Professor Schwester is editor of the Handbook of Critical Incident Analysis (Routledge, 2012) and co-author of Public Administration in a Globalized World (2014).

Review :
The third edition of this already comprehensive and engaging textbook is a welcome addition for both students and instructors. Professors Holzer and Schwester have expertly woven together a robust discussion of theory, historical analysis, and striking visual displays in a manner that vividly depicts the importance of public administrative bodies in the United States. This is sure to capture the attention of students of public administration in a manner that contributes to professional preparation and success. Alexander C. Henderson, Long Island University, USA In the third edition of their superb and popular introductory textbook, Holzer and Schwester have done a remarkable job of capturing the contemporary themes that popular media and scholars discuss, while providing a thorough background of the historical and multifaceted development of the field. The language is straightforward, the graphics are exceptional, and—without losing an American focus—the sweep of the attention of Public Administration: An Introduction is more global than typically found in most introductory textbooks. Montgomery Van Wart, California State University, USA The third edition of Marc Holzer and Richard Schwester’s text provides those new to public administration with engaging introductions to a variety of topics in the field. Among the updates is a newly-added chapter on navigating and analyzing big data, which helps students better understand the role of big data analysis in public administration. This text assists student understanding of the main themes and concepts of each chapter in an easy manner by utilizing artwork, cartoons and quotes, as well as recent case studies. Moreover, the instructor’s guide contains several useful resources including PowerPoints, quizzes, video and web resources, and customizable lesson plans allowing instructors to be well-prepared for classes. Taehee Kim, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, South Korea