Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.In this Advanced Introduction, Christopher Pollitt starts a penetrating account of the theories, methods and possible trajectories of the study of public management, also examining the academic community itself, and its relationship to the world of practice. There is no more authoritative - or lively - text of such scope and focus.

This is a stimulating analysis by a leading international scholar. It includes:

- a global overview
- a critical and authoritative analysis of the current state of the field
- the location of academic research firmly in the real world context of austerity, climate and demographic change, and technological transformation
- an examination of the relationship between academic study and the practice of public management
- a look inside the ivory tower , at the forces changing the way the subject is studied and practised

This truly unique work will be of particular interest to graduate students, advanced scholars, lecturers and trainers in public administration, public management, government, public policy, political science and development administration. Middle level and senior practitioners in public administration and public management will also find this an invaluable and sophisticated introduction.