These two landmark volumes - prepared by leading authorities in the field - locate bureaucracy in its proper historical and theoretical context. They demonstrate that far from being a spent force bureaucratic organisations and processes are, and will continue to be, of central importance in the new millennium.Volume I outlines both the changing historical forms of bureaucracy and its operation in contemporary political systems before moving on to examine the detail of bureaucratic structures and processes. Volume II discusses bureaucrats in action and the political dimensions of bureaucratic power. In addition it explores the various critiques of bureaucracy before analysing the recent agendas for bureaucratic reform and the strengths and weaknesses of alternative structures.

These two authoritative volumes will be essential reading for political scientists, historians, organisational and administrative theorists and students of public sector management old and new.