Public Management Reform: A Comparative Analysis

Since its publication in 2000, Public Management Reform has established itself as the standard text in the field, presenting a comparative analysis of recent changes in Public Management and Public Administration in a range of countries in Europe, North America and Australasia. This completely rewritten second edition radically expands, develops and updates the original.
Two countries have been added to the comparison (making twelve countries in all) and a much fuller treatment has been provided of the European Commission (including a commentary on the recent reforms led by Vice-President Kinnock). Empirical data has been brought up to date, so as to cover many key developments of the last few years. The theoretical framework of the book has been further developed, including a challenging new interpretation of the trends in continental Europe, which are seen here as markedly different from the Anglo-American style 'New Public Management".
This second edition provides an unparalleled synthesis of developments in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the UK, the USA and the European Commission. It is organized in an integrated format, within an overall theoretical framework that identifies the main pressures for and trajectories of, change. It includes a multi-dimensional analysis of the results of reform, and a chapter reflecting on the dynamic relationship between management reform and politics. Extensive appendices provide an in valuable information resource for students.

Christopher Pollitt has worked in the UK, the USA, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Originally a Principal in the UK civil service, he later moved into the academic world. From 1990-98 he was Professor of Government at Brunel University in West London. He has served as Editor of the journal Public Administration (1980-89) and President of the European Evaluation Society (1996-98). Since 1999 he has been Professor of Public Management at Erasmus University, Rotterdam. He has also provided advice and consultancy to a number of international bodies including the UK National Audit Office, the European Commission, the OECD, and the World Bank. Geert Bouckaert is Professor of Public Management and Director of the Public Management Institute at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. He is a member of several international editorial boards and founder of the Flemish journal of public management. He has provided advice and consultancy to several governments and the OECD.