Federal Management Reform in a World of Contradictions (Public Management and Change series)
"This incisive, revelatory book challenges the way in which academics as well as practitioners have tackled the problems associated with public management reform. Radin aptly suggests that, like a computer stuck in a reboot loop, management reform has been treated like an old chestnut, never advancing nor improving because of a failure to account for the problems associated with the implementation of reforms, most prominently those stemming from politics. Radin's book is extraordinarily insightful, and should be required reading in every public administration program." --Norma M. Riccucci, Rutgers University, Newark"With characteristic insight, Radin examines the tension that exists between administrative reform at the federal level in the United States and the institutional environment within which American bureaucracy must operate. If past is prologue, there is little reason to be optimistic that efforts to improve public administration will be informed either by past experience or sound theoretical premises." --William West, professor and Sara Lindsey Chair, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M; University"Essential reading for all who want to understand why public management reform does not always work as intended, but nevertheless continues to attract politicians' and citizens' attention.... A thoughtful and well-researched reminder of why politics and reform are bound together. This book places the public management reform agenda in its proper historical perspective, and should be read by scholars and students of public administration as well as interested citizens." --Carsten Greve, professor, Copenhagen Business School