Public administration theories: instrumental and value rationalities

The book examines key public administration theories from the perspective of instrumental and value rationalities. The theories are analyzed on core value, assumption about human nature, methodology, role of government, and disciplinary positioning. The author traces the historical trajectory of each of the two camps of theories.

Cover -- Half-Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Foreword -- 1 Introduction -- Part I Rationalities -- 2 Instrumental and Value Rationalities of Public Administration -- Part II Development of Instrumental Rationality-Oriented Public Administration Theories -- 3 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

"This book analyzes 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 the five elements of core value, assumption about human nature, methodology, role of government, and disciplinary positioning. The two camps of schools alternate in dominance in the evolution of public administration theories, presenting pendulum movements. The existing relevant research is mainly approached from the perspectives of: development stages, schools of theories, research paradigms, research routes and etc. The book presents a new perspective of the two rationalities, leaving readers with a clear understanding of the main vein of knotty evolution of the 120-odd years of Public Administration theories"--