Public Management and Administrative Reform in Western Europe

This important book presents new work by respected scholars in the field of public administration in Europe, and evaluates both American and European approaches to public sector management and administrative reform.The book begins with introductory chapters examining public management in Europe and the United States and explores the paradoxes that exist in administrative reform. Part two presents a wide range of case studies of European management reforms including the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It offers a balanced view of the managerial trend which appears to be sweeping across Western Europe. This is achieved by presenting the full spectrum of case studies from success to failure. Balance is created by presenting counter-arguments and criticisms of the prevailing trend of reform. The third part considers management, legal state and democracy. Finally, the volume concludes with a North American perspective on the administrative reform in Europe. Public Management and Administrative Reform will be indispensable to academics, policymakers and management practitioners in the public sector, especially those working within Europe.