The Public Administration Theory Primer

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 approaches—from public institutional theory to theories of governance—and 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.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 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 Allison's 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 Administration's 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

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.

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, Mississippi State University "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 think--I 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 “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, Mississippi State University