About the Book
This book analyzes eight key public administration theories from the perspective of instrumental and value rationalities. In the instrumental rationality camp are the theories of Traditional Public Administration, Privatization, New Public Management, and Holistic Governance. The theories of New Public Administration, Democratic Administration, New Public Service, and Public Value Management fall into the camp of value rationality.
The eight theories are analyzed in light of five elements: core value, assumption about human nature, methodology, role of government, and disciplinary positioning. The author also traces the historical trajectories of the two schools of thought, which have alternated in dominance in the evolution of public administration theory studies, presenting pendulum movements. This book presents a new perspective of the two rationalities, leaving readers with a clear understanding of the complex evolution of more than a century of public administration theory.
Contents
1. Introduction
Part I Rationalities2. Instrumental and Value Rationalities of Public Administration
Part II Development of Instrumental Rationality Oriented Public Administration Theories3. Traditional Public Administration: Emergence of Instrumental Rationality
4. Privatization Theory: Inheritance of Instrumental Rationality
5. New Public Management: Upsurge of Instrumental Rationality
6. Holistic Governance: Integration of Value and Instrumental Rationalities
Part III Transformation of Value Rationality-Oriented Public Administration Theories 7. New Public Administration: Awakening of Value Rationality
8. Democratic Administration: Inheritance of Value Rationality
9. New Public Service: Upsurge of Value Rationality
10. Public Value Management: Integration of Value and Instrumental Rationalities
Part IV Conclusion 11. Comments on and Comparative Analysis of Instrumental and Value Rationality-Oriented Public Administration Theories
About the Author / Editor
Lisheng Dong is Marie Curie Research Professor at the University of Glasgow, UK. He is the 2012 co-recipient of the Pierre de Celles Award of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration. He is the editor of Urban Mobilizations and the New Media in Contemporary China and China and the European Union.
