Sound machinery of government is at the core of a well-functioning state. Written by an author with a wide experience in public administration in America and globally, this book addresses both the commonalities and diversity of administrative practice around the world. Exploring developed countries as well as developing and transitional economies, it combines a strong conceptual foundation with thorough coverage of the main topics in public administration, supported by current data and providing a wealth of concrete illustrations from a variety of countries.

The book is organized around three important themes: the interaction of governance, politics and administration, the role of institutions in determining administrative outcomes, and the important of country context. It is organized in three parts: the roles, size, and organizational architecture of government; the management of public finances, personnel, and procurement and the regulatory framework; and the interface between government and society, articulated around the four governance pillars of accountability, rule of law, participation and transparency, and including the delivery of public services. A concluding chapter summarizes the lessons of international experience and offers guidance to improve the management of the public sector in sustainable ways. Running the Government will serve as core text for courses in public administration and as supplementary text for undergraduate and graduate courses in political science, public economics, and international affairs. It may also serve as an accessible and complete reference for civil service training courses around the globe.