Description
Book SynopsisExpert analysis of American governance challenges and recommendations for reformTwo big ideas serve as the catalyst for the essays collected in this book. The first is the state of governance in the United States, which Americans variously perceive as broken, frustrating, and unresponsive. Editor James Perry observes in his Introduction that this perception is rooted in three simultaneous developments: government's failure to perform basic tasks that once were taken for granted, an accelerating pace of change that quickly makes past standards of performance antiquated, and a dearth of intellectual capital that generate the capacity to bridge the gulf between expectations and performance. The second idea hearkens back to the Progressive era, when Americans revealed themselves to be committed to better administration of their government at all levelsfederal, state, and local. These two ideasthe diminishing capacity for effective governance and Americans' expectations for reformare veer
Trade Review"“[This book] is a worthy reminder that the parts of government make a whole, progress is uneven, and forward movement happens one step at a time, with backsliding in between. In this edited volume, contributors offer approaches for strengthening government, and in the process, increasing government’s capacity to deal with the complexity of interrelated administrative, social, demographic, and economic challenges." * Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory *
"James Perry’s collected essays from thought leaders throughout the field deliver insight into challenges related to public service and leadership, disruptive influences, the need for a more informed citizenry, and emerging government and governance." * Journal of Public Affairs Education *
Table of ContentsContents
Foreword
—Paul A. Volcker
Introduction
—James L. Perry
Chapter 1. Catch-22 Government: Federal Performance in Peril
—Paul C. Light
Part I. Disruptive Influences
Chapter 2. Beyond the Financial Crisis: Regulators Confront New Challenges from Technological (R)evolution
—Sheila Bair
Chapter 3. Big Data, AI, and Algorithmic Platforms: Implications for Governing and Public Policy
—Ramayya Krishnan
Chapter 4. Political Disruption: Is America Headed Toward Uncontrollable Extremism or Partisan Goodwill?
—Norman J. Ornstein
Part II. Emerging Government and Governance
Chapter 5. The Intrinsic Functions of Government
—Francis Fukuyama
Chapter 6. Reframing American Institutions: A Look Ahead to Midcentury
—Donald F. Kettl
Chapter 7. Is Federal Public Service Reform Still Possible? Toward a "Volcker Rule" for Federal Contractors
—John J. DiIulio Jr.
Chapter 8. Good Government: Persistent Challenges, Smart Practices, and New Knowledge Needed
—Shelley Metzenbaum
Part III. Public Service and Public Leaders
Chapter 9. A Personal Reflection on the Importance of Public Service
—William W. Bradley
Chapter 10. Competencies of the Public Service in Challenging Regulatory Times
—Paul R. Verkuil
Chapter 11. Upending Public Policy Education
—Angela Evans
Chapter 12. The Emerging Public Leader: Characteristics, Opportunities, and Challenges
—Norma M. Riccucci
List of Contributors
Index
Acknowledgments
