This accessible introduction to the system of public administration uses a clear, country by country analysis to the contemporary system of public administration and management in a number of significant countries. This text examines the extent to which new public management, politicians and public opinion can influence bureaucracies in various countries; in addition, it explores the role of public administration systems within the wider political systems and democratic frameworks of their states.

The new edition revises and updates several of the original country studies including: the United States, France, the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Italy, and adds three more chapters on Greece, Russia, India and China. Each chapter is written to a common framework which makes comparison easier and covers the following issues:

Political culture

The Constitutional framework

The civil service

Public sector agencies

Federal and local government

Financing the system

Co-ordination of the system

Managing the system

Accountability, secrecy and openness

Democracy

Further developments and the financial crash

This student-friendly volume is a highly valuable resource for students of Politics and Administration.

This textbook is essential reading for students of comparative public administration.