Introduction to Comparative Public Administration: Administrative Systems and Reforms in Europe

This innovative textbook provides an in-depth analysis and account of the state of public administration and recent administrative reforms in European countries. It introduces key features of public administration in six European countries, by comparing current administrative reforms and highlighting the extent to which the different administrative systems have converged or continue to persist in their respective traditions. This textbook will make the students familiar with the concepts and empirical base of comparative public administration. Key features include: The first comprehensive, comparative and systematic treatment of public administration and administrative reforms in key European countries; Empirical scrutiny of administrative convergence/persistence/divergence; Easy access for students to the comparative study of varied administrative systems by way of more than 80 graphs, tables and a detailed index; Comparison of typical European administrative traditions and their historical development; and A combination of country reports and comparative reform analyses. This textbook should effectively assist undergraduate and post-graduate teaching at universities and institutions of higher education with courses on comparative and European public administration, administrative reform and public policy.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. Theories and Analytical Approaches 3. Models and Traditions of Public Administration in Europe: Country Profiles 4. Administrative Reforms from a Comparative Perspective 5. Comparative Summary 6. Future Prospects of Comparative Public Administration Index

About the Author :
Sabine Kuhlmann, Professor of Political Sciences, Administration and Organization, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany and Hellmut Wollmann, Professor Emeritus of Public Administration, Social Science Institute, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

Review :
'Since Ferrel Heady's death over a decade ago, comparative public administration badly needed a first-rate, current survey text. Sabine Kuhlmann and Hellmut Wollmann performed an invaluable service by authoring this exemplary, up-to-date European Comparative Public Administration Textbook. I know of none like it on the market today, for its clarity of prose, concise outline of key concepts, as well as comprehensive synthesis of where we are right now within this rapidly moving, ever-expanding vital area of administrative sciences. Their book is "a must read" and 'must use' for teaching comparative public administration throughout Europe and beyond.' 'This is a much-needed and long-awaited book that makes systematic, theory-informed and in-depth comparisons of public administrative systems in Europe how they have developed over time and how they have reacted to new reform trends like New Public Management. The book combines in a very good way cross-national, cross-sectoral and multi-level comparisons and gives a lot of fresh information on the functioning of the systems. It shows in a very instructive way how the systems both diverge and converge.'