In recent years there has been a transformation in the management of the public sector across many parts of the world. The rigid, bureaucratic form of public administration which dominated for most of the twentieth century has been replaced in the twenty-first century by a more flexible, market-based form of public management. As public management has developed away from New Public Management, it has moved even further away from the traditional model of administration.

Public Management and Administration introduces and assesses the principles and theories underlying changes in the management of the public sector. Public management models are being adopted all over the world and the basis, nature and dimensions of these - as well as their theoretical underpinnings and differences - are considered in detail.

The fourth edition of this highly successful text has been substantially revised and updated throughout and includes a new chapter on governance.