Public Administration: Partnerships in Public Service

This dynamic exploration of public administration illuminates the complexity of governing in the twenty-first century. As a starting point, Johnson discusses the government s response to Hurricane Katrina and what that effort reveals about the role of government in society, how government should best be organized, the extent of public-private cooperation necessary to respond to natural disasters, and the assessment and management of risk. The author notes that although the events of August 2005 provide plenty of examples of government failure, they also demonstrate how administrators can learn to be better decision makers and collaborators. Public Administration surveys the key concepts and underpinnings of American governance, drawing on classic works as well as current issues and events. Working from the premise that no significant government enterprise takes place within the boundaries of any one organization, the text illustrates the collaborative process through which public policy is shaped by networks of organizations with diverse missions and certain common purposes. Throughout, Johnson emphasizes the role of public administrators in forming and maintaining the partnerships that advance the goals of government. Each chapter has been thoroughly updated, while boxed features throughout the text provide fresh examples of public administration in practice. From metropolitan area transit planning, to the Border Patrol s contracts with private technology firms, to computerized neighborhood environment tracking, to state government attempts to address the global warming issue, Johnson provides numerous topical examples of the myriad forms of collaboration between administrators, the private sector, and the general public. Not-for-sale instructor resource material available to college and university faculty only; contact publisher directly.