Public Sector Management: Theory, Critique and Practice (Published in association with The Open University) [Paperback]

David McKevitt (Editor), Alan Lawton (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0803977131 | ISBN-13: 978-0803977136

Drawing together key contributions to the field, this innovative Reader provides a broad-ranging overview of both the theory and practice of public service management. The book: outlines the social, political and economic contexts in which management has emerged as a crucial issue in the public sector of modern democratic countries; introduces the major theories, issues and concepts involved in defining and understanding public sector management; analyzes some of the key values underpinning the idea of the public domain; and examines some of the main challenges in terms of particular strategies, techniques and competences which have been proposed to improve management for public services.

Public Sector Management is

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd (March 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803977131
• ISBN-13: 978-0803977136
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 7, 2012

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Janet Hunt (Woodbridge, VA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Public Sector Management: Theory, Critique and Practice (Published in association with The Open University) (Paperback)

Perfect for class. Exactly what I ordered. The price was decent compared to other textbooks I have had to order. Excellent condition. Brand New. Arrived quickly.

1.0 out of 5 stars Emotional, November 17, 2011

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DMA - See all my reviews

This review is from: Public Sector Management: Theory, Critique and Practice (Published in association with The Open University) (Paperback)

I have read many books on political science and politics. One of the most important distinguishing factors between productive literature and counterproductive literature regarding government is the degree of emotionalism. This book embraces emotionalism in every aspect of government decision making; which is contrary to the role of government. The book suggests that the role of government is to do anything and everything that the people want it to do. This is self-destructive. The role of government is to protect the people from enemies foreign and domestic, provided a judicial-punitive system, establish laws protecting life, property and trade, and to establish the fundamental necessities of an economic system. These are the natural roles of government. However, this book suggests that anything and everything else should be the domain of government as long as the people want it. Their argument? Altruism.

Government is by definition power; real power - the power to come into your house and take what it wants legally. Government is not a philanthropic institution. Altruism is not a task which governments are naturally responsible for, nor is it logical to ask government to be altruistic. Asking a government to act as philanthropy is like asking philanthropy to enforce the nation's laws, or fight wars, or establish currency.

This book is uses lofty, high-minded emotional ploys to an effort to expand government's roles and responsibilities in to genera which are dangerous to the citizens. It is a poetic excuse manual to collapse a nation from within its government.