In Defense of Public Service (Paperback)

Cedric L. Alexander

ISBN 10: 152308507X / ISBN 13: 9781523085071

Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2020

About this Item

Paperback. "Dr. Alexander . . . brings to this book an acute understanding of both why our cherished form of government--and those who serve us in the civil service--appears to be under such unrelenting attack and how we, as citizens, should and must respond."--from the foreword by Congressman Elijah E. CummingsThe former police chief and news commentator makes a compelling case for the importance of civil service in this timely book-foreword by Elijah Cummings.When those we elect descend into partisan tribalism, criminal malfeasance, and emulation of foreign autocracies and oligarchies, where do we turn? Cedric Alexander believes it is the unelected, apolitical "fourth branch" of government-our nation's public servants, civil servants, and first responders-who must save the nation.Alexander, a former deputy mayor, police chief, and CNN commentator, argues that these people do not constitute a nefarious "deep state" pursuing a hidden agenda. They are the analysts, scientists, lawyers, accountants, educators, consultants, enforcers of regulations, and first responders of every kind who keep the country running and its people safe.This book recounts the evolution of the professional civil service as an antidote to widespread cronyism, with examples of how it has served as a bulwark against powerful corrupting influences. It describes the role civil servants play in bringing our badly divided society together. "A former deputy mayor, police chief, and CNN commentator argues that our nation's public servants are not part of some conspiratorial "deep state" but rather the best hope for preserving democracy in a time of poisonous hyper-partisanship"-- Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781523085071

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Defense of Public Service (Paperback)
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Publication Date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 152308507X
• ISBN 13: 9781523085071
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The former police chief and news commentator makes a compelling case for the importance of civil service in this timely book—foreword by Elijah Cummings. 

When those we elect descend into partisan tribalism, criminal malfeasance, and emulation of foreign autocracies and oligarchies, where do we turn? Cedric Alexander believes it is the unelected, apolitical "fourth branch" of government—our nation's public servants, civil servants, and first responders—who must save the nation.   

Alexander, a former deputy mayor, police chief, and CNN commentator, argues that these people do not constitute a nefarious “deep state” pursuing a hidden agenda. They are the analysts, scientists, lawyers, accountants, educators, consultants, enforcers of regulations, and first responders of every kind who keep the country running and its people safe.   

This book recounts the evolution of the professional civil service as an antidote to widespread cronyism, with examples of how it has served as a bulwark against powerful corrupting influences. It describes the role civil servants play in bringing our badly divided society together.

About the Author

Cedric L. Alexander is the former deputy mayor of Rochester, NY and public safety director of DeKalb County, GA. He is also a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and has served as president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, as well as on President Barack Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He is a frequent contributor to law enforcement coverage for CNN and spoke at TEDx Yale 2019. He is also the author of The New Guardians: Policing in America's Communities for the 21st Century.