Description
Book SynopsisThe Public Servant’s Guide to Government in Canada is a concise primer on the inner workings of government in Canada. This is a go-to resource for students, for early career public servants, and for anyone who wants to know more about how government works. Grounded in experience, the book connects core concepts in political science and public administration to the real-world practice of working in the public service. The authors provide valuable insights into the messy realities of governing and the art of diplomacy, as well as best practices for climbing the career ladder.
Trade Review"The Public Servant’s Guide is skillfully written, wry and sometimes funny." -- Holly Doan * Blacklock’s Reporter, March 2, 2019 *
"[This is] a book that every new and aspiring public servant should have in their learning library. Small but mighty in its 108 pages, The Public Servant’s Guide provides lots of tips, advice, and learning that would take a few years on average to accumulate." -- Alana Del Greco * IPAC Toronto *
Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Purpose of The Public Servant’s Guide to Government in Canada 1 REVIEW OF CORE CONCEPTS What Is a Public Servant? Core Principles of Canadian Government The Division of Power The Main Institutions of Government Chapter Takeaways 2 THE PUBLIC SECTOR BARGAIN Government as an Organization Threats to the Public Service Bargain Guiding Principles for Public Servants Chapter Takeaways 3 THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC POLICY What Is Public Policy? The Public Policy Cycle Public Policy Lenses Chapter Takeaways 4 THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Accountability Centralization of Power Public Administration Is Political The Merit Principle The Structure and Machinery of Government Chapter Takeaways 5 THE ART OF NAVIGATING LIFE IN GOVERNMENT Political Acumen Knowledge of Power Situational Awareness Soft Skills Ethics of Public Service Chapter Takeaways 6 ROLES AND COMPETENCIES OF A PUBLIC SERVANT Roles and Occupations in the Public Service Building Competencies Relational and Experiential Learning Chapter Takeaways 7 ACHIEVING YOUR CAREER GOALS Finding Purpose in a Public Service Career Finding Balance in a Public Service Career Finding Community in a Public Service Career Chapter Takeaways Glossary of Terms References About the Authors Index
