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Federal Government Reorganization: A Policy and Management Perspective

Author(s): Beryl A. Radin, PhD, Scholar in Residence, School of Public Affairs, American University
Joshua M. Chanin, JD, MPA, PhD Candidate, School of Public Affairs, American University
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763755607
  • Paperback    404 pages      © 2009
Price: International Sales $75.95 US List
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Overview

This textbook reader discusses the importance of organization and reorganization in the contemporary structure of the American federal government. First, it deals with the decision to change structural arrangements within the bureaucracy. Through a range of conceptual readings, it explores why reorganization and changing the structure of government continues to happen, allowing the reader to understand the multiple and often conflicting goals involved in changing organizational structure. It highlights two contrasting approaches to reorganization: a management approach and a policy approach.

Secondly, it discusses the consequences of reorganization activity by focusing on the results of a number of federal government reorganizations. The examples include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Education, and proposals to establish a U.S. Department of Food Safety.

This is an ideal text for courses in public management, public policy, and political science courses covering the Presidency and Congress.

View Chapters 2 and 3 under "Additional Resources".

ShowKey Features

Provides examples of topical policy issues including homeland security, emergency management, No Child Left Behind, organization of the Defense Department, and efforts to create a Department of Food Safety

Illustrates the need to look at management in issues within a framework that includes the Congress, the White House, the Executive Branch, and interest groups

The only text of its kind to illustrate the interrelationship between management and policy

Contains literature that is out of print and otherwise not easy to find

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ShowTable of Contents

  Chapter  1  Introduction
Part I  Reorganization in the Public Administration Literature
  Chapter  2  Authority
  Chapter  3  Agendas
  Chapter  4  Broadening the Framework
  Chapter  5  Lessons
Part II  Examples of Reorganization Efforts
  Chapter  6  The Department of Homeland Security
  Chapter  7  The Department of Defense
  Chapter  8  The Department of Education
  Chapter  9  Proposals to Create a Department of Food Safety
Appendix  A Checklist for Reorganization Analysis
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ShowAbout the Author(s)

Beryl A. Radin, PhD-Scholar in Residence, School of Public Affairs, American University

Beryl A. Radin is a Scholar in Residence in the School of Public Affairs at American University. An elected member of the National Academy of Public Administration, she has written a number of books and articles on public management issues (including works on reorganization, performance management and policy analysis). She was the Managing Editor of the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory and served as a staff member in several federal government agencies.

Joshua M. Chanin, JD, MPA-PhD Candidate, School of Public Affairs, American University

Joshua M. Chanin is a PhD candidate in Public Administration and Justice, Law, and Society in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, DC. His research interests include the application of constitutional law in public administration and policy, the implementation of public law, and bureaucratic behavior. He holds a JD-MPA from Indiana University–Bloomington.

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ShowAppropriate Courses

Ideal for courses in:

  • public management
  • public policy
  • political sciences courses on the Presidency and Congress
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ShowSamples & Additional Resources