The fundamentals of public administration, from the world's leading practitioners Handbook of Public Administration is the classic, comprehensive guide to the field, featuring original writings from the world's foremost public administration thought leaders and practitioners. Intended to help both public administration students and practitioners navigate administrative challenges, overcome obstacles, and improve effectiveness, this guide provides a complete overview of the entire field. The information is organized into seven parts representing key domains of knowledge and practice that are essential for effective public administration. These reflect changes in the state of modern public administration, the factors that influence policies and programs, the mechanics of how government works, and the tools that help administrators get things done. Readers will find insightful discussions on the challenges of contemporary governance and the ethics of public administration, as well as practical guidance on the everyday operations that bring effective policies and programs to life. Students and experienced practitioners alike will appreciate the well-rounded approach to issues public administrators face every day. The book is complete enough to act as a text, but organized logically for quick reference for specific problems or situations. Readers will: Understand the challenges posed by the changing context of public administration - Explore how relationships and decisions influence public policies and programs - Learn the critical skills and tools public administrators must master to be effective - Explore the ethics and liabilities of public administration, and what it means to take part The role of public administration is evolving, and the changing nature of the field will impact the way policies and programs are designed and implemented. This book fully explores current and upcoming changes domestically and internationally against the backdrop of public administration fundamentals. For the student or professional seeking a deeper understanding of the public administrator's role, Handbook of Public Administration is a clear, comprehensive resource. PRAISE FOR HANDBOOK OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION "Public administration in today's era of governance faces big challenges, including leadership competency, accountability, evidence-based policy delivery, and public trust. The third edition of the Handbook of Public Administration provides much-needed coverage of the theory and practice to help address these contemporary concerns. It is a must-read for anyone involved in public administration at the local, national, and global levels." —Dr. Soonhee Kim, professor, Public Management, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Republic of Korea "The third edition of this handbook will become a classic. Perry and Christensen rightly assume that 'public administration' is not static but instead a dynamic verb, which they conjugate actively as in governing, building, developing, sharpening, embracing, becoming, enacting, advancing, tracking, and professionalizing. By doing this, academic and practitioner activism become two sides of the same public sector coin." —Prof. Dr. Geert Bouckaert, professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven Instituut voor de Overheid - Public Governance Institute, Belgium; and president, International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) "I benefited enormously from the first edition of this book as a student: it offered the best overview of a complex field. Almost twenty years later things have grown considerably more complex, reflected by a mix of new forms of governance, greater skepticism toward the state, and new technologies. The new Handbook is up to the task of helping both the student and scholar understand this world – indeed, it reclaims its status as the best overview of the field." —Dr. Donald P. Moynihan, professor, Public Affairs, Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and president-elect, Public Management Research Association (PMRA) "This is a book that every public administration student should read. With an elite group of contributors, it offers a comprehensive, advanced, balanced, and state-of-the-art coverage on how to become competent administrators and build effective public enterprises in achieving public purposes in the 21 st century. A book full of treasures!" —Dr. Kaifeng Yang, professor, Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University; and International Adjunct Professor, Renmin University of China "From matters of governing and building infrastructures for accountability to leading, managing, and professionalizing the practice of public administration, this terrific book will more than satisfy its readers from both the world of practice as well as academe." —Dr. Walter D. Broadnax, distinguished professor, Public Administration and International Af