Why do we need a public sector? What are the drivers of public sector change? What threat does authoritarianism pose to the public sector? What are the pitfalls of digital governance?

This overview of the scope and scale of government covers competing approaches to public sector management and all of the key topics in the area, including strategic management, leadership and performance management.

Setting out the key theoretical perspectives on public management, this book equips you with the key concepts and tools that you need to make sense of contemporary public management from different perspectives. With case studies and examples from Europe, Asia and Latin America, it reflects the latest changes to how public sectors are operated right across the world. Visuals, data and summaries allow you to see the practical application of ideas discussed.

Reflecting the latest issues and trends in public management and administration, this new edition offers:

- Increased analysis of the impact of authoritarianism and populism
- A shift in focus from New Public Management to more contemporary approaches, as well as discussion of the recent reversion to pre-traditional models of administration
- Additional global examples, including more from Europe to reflect shifts in the key centres of PMA
- More inclusion of evidence and evidence-based policy
- Additional tables, figures and case study boxes offering the latest research insights.

Suitable for use on courses around the world, and for those with no prior knowledge of the theory and practice of public management and administration, this fully revised sixth edition is the ideal point of reference for lecturers and students in the field.