Public Governance

The SAGE Library of Political Science is a new series of major works that will bring together the articles that have been most influential in shaping the discipline. Each multi-volume set will present a collection of field-defining published works, both classical and contemporary, sourced from the foremost publications in the discipline by an internationally renowned Editor or Editorial Team. They will also include a full introduction, presenting a rationale for the selection and mapping out the past, present and likely future of each area. The Series will cover both the key approaches to studying the discipline and the primary sub-fields that form the focus of political scientists' work. PUBLIC GOVERNANCE The language of public governance referring to changes in the nature and the role of the state has arisen to prominence in the last twenty years across the social, political and economic sciences. 'Public Governance' has also become a major topic of concern for political and non-profit actors, as evidenced, for example, by its role in shaping the lending criteria of institutions such as the World Bank. A vast literature encompassing contributions derived from many of the leading theories in the contemporary social sciences, including rational choice, institutionalism, functionalism, systems theory and interpretive approaches can be found across a large range of journals severing different academic disciplines. This four volume set is the first to collect the most significant and insightful articles into a single volume set. Together the volumes: - elucidate and explain many new trends of public sector reform at the state and local levels, including multi-level governance, new public management, networks, and partnerships. - explore these trends and others across many of today's most important areas of policy, such as urban regeneration, the environment, and e-governance. - illustrate ethical and political questions about good governance: how might we rethink accountability, social inclusion, and democracy given these extensive changes in political organizations? Volume 1: Theories of Governance Volume 2: Public Sector Reform Volume 3: Public Policy Volume 4: Good Governance