Understanding Public Administration provides the reader with a basic foundation of the American system of public administration. This book starts with the beginnings and the early years of public administration, and how it evolved. It looks at various philosophies, including idealism, realism, pragmatism, and existentialism. It covers many different disciplines that have affected public administration. Learning and different methods of inquiry are reviewed. Individual choice, authority, team culture and comparative governments are examined as they apply to public administration.