The Future of Public Administration, Public Management, and Public Service Around the World: The Minnowbrook Perspective

A once-in-a-generation event held every twenty years, the Minnowbrook conference brings together the top scholars in public administration and public management to reflect on the state of the field and its future. This unique volume brings together a group of distinguished authors―both seasoned and new―for a rare critical examination of the field of public administration yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The book begins by examining the ideas of previous Minnowbrook conferences, such as relevance and change, which are reflective of the 1960s and 1980s. It then moves beyond old Minnowbrook concepts to focus on public administration challenges of the future: globalism, twenty-first century collaborative governance, the role of information technology in governance, deliberative democracy and public participation, the organization of the future, and teaching the next generation of leaders. The book ends by coming full circle to examine the current challenge of remaining relevant.

There is no other book like this―nor is there ever likely to be another―in print. Simply put, the ideas, concepts, and spirit of Minnowbrook are one-of-a-kind. This book captures the soul of public administration past, present, and future, and is a must-read for anyone serious about the theory and practice of public administration.

Rosemary O'Leary is Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Howard G. and Louise S. Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership at Syracuse University.

David M. Van Slyke is an associate professor of public administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Soonhee Kim is an associate professor of public administration at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.