Critical Social Theory in Public Administration
Critical Social Theory in Public Administration

Author: Richard C Box

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-03-26

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13: 1317473574

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The essential premise of critical social theory is that contemporary society is neither democratic nor free, but that modern global capitalism creates a citizenry satiated with consumer goods, unaware of alternative ways of living. In the public sector, critical theory suggests that governing systems are influenced, if not controlled, by the wealthy and powerful, leaving public professionals to decide whether to serve those interests or the interests of a broader public. This book provides a framework for the application of critical social theory in public administration. Its goal is to encourage awareness among public administration scholars and practitioners of social conditions that tend to shape and constrain scholarship, practice, teaching, and social change. At a time when concern for public interest and a civil society have largely been displaced by the goals of economic efficiency and the "New Public Management," Critical Social Theory in Public Administration presents a viable alternative that incorporates the latest views of postmodern thinking with the central elements of critical social theory.

Critical Theory, Public Policy, and Planning Practice
Critical Theory, Public Policy, and Planning Practice

Author: John Forester

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 1993-07-01

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1438403011

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Too often attacked as hopelessly abstract, contemporary critical social theory can help us to understand both public policy and its analysis. In this book, John Forester shows how policy analysis, planning, and public administration are thoroughly political communicative practices that subtly and selectively organize public attention. Drawing from Jürgen Habermas's critical communications theory of society, Forester shows how policy developments alter the social infrastructure of society. He provides a clear introduction to critical social theory at the same time that he clarifies the practical and political challenges facing public policy analysts, public managers, and planners working in many fields.

Critical Social Theory
Critical Social Theory

Author: Craig Calhoun

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Published: 1995-08-29

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 9781557862884

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In this outstanding reinterpretation - and extension - of the Critical Theory tradition, Craig Calhoun surveys the origins, fortunes and prospects of this most influential of theoretical approaches. Moving with ease from the early Frankfurt School to Habermas, to contemporary debates over postmodernism, feminism and nationalism, Calhoun breathes new life into Critical Social Theory, showing how it can learn from the past and contribute to the future.

Post-Traditional Public Administration Theory
Post-Traditional Public Administration Theory

Author: David John Farmer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-03-22

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 1000367673

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This book describes what is argued to be the most effective way of doing public administration thinking. Its aim is to encourage governments to govern fundamentally better in terms of policy and administration. A better understanding of context and identities, imaginization, epistemic pluralism, anti-administration, and the context of economics are examples of what is critical for high effectiveness. The pieces included in this book have been handpicked from the vast academic collection that David Farmer has authored over the last thirty years and which were published in the Journal of Administrative Theory and Praxis and the Journal of Public Administration Education. Collectively, these chapters are intended to help governments use post-traditional public administration theory in order to achieve better praxis.

Critical Theory
Critical Theory

Author: Max Horkheimer

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 1972-01-01

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 0826400833

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These essays, written in the 1930s and 1940s, represent a first selection in English from the major work of the founder of the famous Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt. Horkheimer's writings are essential to an understanding of the intellectual background of the New Left and the to much current social-philosophical thought, including the work of Herbert Marcuse. Apart from their historical significance and even from their scholarly eminence, these essays contain an immediate relevance only now becoming fully recognized.

Public Administration and Society
Public Administration and Society

Author: Richard C Box

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-12-17

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13: 1317461932

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For instructors who want to expose their students to the social, political, and historical context of the practice of public administration, this book provides a unique approach to the introductory PA course. The author's own text is skilfully interwoven with a collection of seminal readings and documents that illuminate the key issues of past and present for public service professionals in a democratic society. More than an overview of public administration, Public Administration and Society offers students a broad perspective on the American Founding Era, the relationship of citizens to government, and how the structure of government reflects societal values. The premise of the book is that understanding the societal context is important to the success of the practitioner and to the practitioner's role as a responsible agent of change in a democratic society. Introductory essays and readings offer students perspectives on five important thematic areas in public administration: the Founding-Era debate over the size and scope of government, the relationship of the community to the individual, public organizations and policy making, values and public administration, and the role of the public service practitioner in a democratic society. This new edition of features five new readings, and, based on input from adopters, an entirely new section on public policy making (Part IV: Public Organizations and Policy). The author's part-opening sections have all been extensively revised and updated.

Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory
Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory

Author: Jason Glynos

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2007-09-12

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1134138369

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This book develops a novel approach to critical explanation as a function of logics, taking a distinctive approach to social science explanation, and political studies more specifically, which avoids the problem of scientism.

Public Administration in Perspective
Public Administration in Perspective

Author: David John Farmer

Publisher: M.E. Sharpe

Published: 2010-02-24

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 0765628635

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Throughout its history, public administration has used a number of different perspectives for analyzing the discipline's theory and practice, and both mainstream and alternative lenses have produced valuable insights and prescriptions. At the same time, an individual way of looking at PA can be misleading. Alone, a solitary lens can miss critical aspects and often gives only part of the picture. Public Administration in Perspective has been specifically crafted to give new life to public administration theory and practice by helping readers view the discipline through a variety of perspectives. Designed for the capstone course in public administration programs, as well as a fresh approach for courses in PA theory and organizational theory, this unique book provides a culminating experience--bringing together what has been learned in previous MPA courses without simply rehashing old content. It offers a comprehensive guide to eleven major approaches to PA, and synthesizes them to deepen our understanding of the discipline. Each chapter in Part I describes the key features of the selected perspective--history, content, and proponents--and discusses the strengths and weaknesses related to PA theory and practice. Part II synthesizes the various perpectives, with specific implications for PA management and practice. Part III concludes with a complete overview, identifying ways in which readers can think more creatively and productively about PA, putting the perspectives themselves into perspective.

Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory
Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory

Author: Nick Crossley

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2004-12-09

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 1446265137

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Clear and accessible, Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory makes difficult ideas available to an undergraduate audience. - Larry Ray, Professor of Sociology, University of Kent The SAGE Key Concepts series provides students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation through understanding. Written by experienced and respected academics, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory: Provides brief accounts of the central ideas behind the key concepts Prepares students to tackle primary texts, giving them a point of reference when they find themselves stuck Discusses each concept in an introductory way Offers further reading guidance for independent learning. This is an essential companion for reading for students across the social sciences who are exploring critical theory for the first time.

Public Service Improvement
Public Service Improvement

Author: Rachel E. Ashworth

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2010-04-29

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 0199545480

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The performance of public services is a matter of concern in many countries. Issues of public service efficiency, cost, and effectiveness have moved to the forefront of political debate. This book applies the latest thinking from Management and Organization Studies to public organizations to examine how the public sector can perform better.