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The essential premise of critical social theory is that contemporary society is neither democratic nor free, but that modern global capitalism creates a citizenry satiated with consumer goods, unaware of alternative ways of living. In the public sector, critical theory suggests that governing systems are influenced, if not controlled, by the wealthy and powerful, leaving public professionals to decide whether to serve those interests or the interests of a broader public. This book provides a framework for the application of critical social theory in public administration. Its goal is to encourage awareness among public administration scholars and practitioners of social conditions that tend to shape and constrain scholarship, practice, teaching, and social change. At a time when concern for public interest and a civil society have largely been displaced by the goals of economic efficiency and the "New Public Management," Critical Social Theory in Public Administration presents a viable alternative that incorporates the latest views of postmodern thinking with the central elements of critical social theory.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Introduction
• A Particular Form of Critical Theory
• Themes and Chapters
• The Critical Social Theory Framework
• 1 Critical Imagination in a Postmodern Environment
• Critical Social Theory
• Contradiction, Dialectic, and Change
• Critical Reason and Imagination
• Emancipation and Self-determination
• Critical Theory in Public Administration
• The Need for Critical Theory Today
• Pragmatism and Phantasy
• Conclusion: A Critical Revival?
• 2 Contradiction, Utopia, and Public Administration
• Contradiction and Containment
• Democracy
• The Warfare State
• Research
• Gender
• Refusal and Utopia
• 3 The "T"ruth Is Elsewhere: Critical History
• Deconstructing History
• Redefining/Rediscovering History
• Recoverable Elements
• Emancipation
• Social Hope
• Critical Public Administration Scholarship
• "Clio at the Crossroads": Writing Critical History
• 4 Critical Theory and the Paradox of Discourse
• Values underlying the Models
• The Legitimacy Model
• The Critical Theory Model
• The Relationship Between the Powerful and the Governed
• The Literature of Community Power
• The Growth Machine
• "Four Cities"
• Diversity in Community Orientation
• Discourse Effectiveness
• Discourse Legitimacy
• Involvement in Discourse
• Outcomes of Administrator-Citizen Interaction Conditions Conducive to Discourse
• Conclusion: The Practical Application of Critical Theory
• 5 Pragmatic Discourse and Administrative Legitimacy
• The Limits of Theory
• The Usefulness of Pragmatism
• Collaboration and Critical Thought
• Conclusion: Administrative Legitimacy
• 6 Private Lives and Antiadministration
• Daily Human Interests
• Geography
• Neighborhoods
• Political Economy
• Materiality
• Citizenship and Private Lives
• Imagination
• 7 Critical Practice and the Problem of Finding a Public
• The Elusive Public
• Critical Theory and the Community Context
• The Purpose of Critical Practice
• References
• Index
• About the Author

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CHOICE Review

What is critical theory? What is public administration? How does critical theory challenge the assumptions of public administration, including "the neutrality model of administrative discretion [that] calls for the public administrator to accept whatever conditions exist and carry out directives from those in power"? These and other crucial questions are raised and answered. This short volume asserts that critical theory "downplays claims for superior decision making by public professionals in relation to the public, instead emphasizing the role of the professional in allowing citizens to express their own vision of the future." The discussion is shifted from the professional administrator to the citizen. Box (Univ. of Nebraska) argues that critical theory, "based on pragmatism, suggests that governmental legitimacy in America may be revived by shifting from an emphasis on the public administrator's role in directing agencies to thinking about how administrators may assist in creating community through collaboration with citizens." Since involving citizens in governance requires interesting citizens in participation, the concluding chapter offers a critical theory prescription for engaging the public in public administration. This thoughtful discussion maintains a sense of hope for the future. It is a vital reference for public administrators, political theorists, and ordinary citizens alike. ^BSumming Up: Essential. General readers, upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers/faculty. T. E. Maloy West Texas A&M University

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Richard C. Box (D.P.A.) is a professor in the School of Public Administration, University of Nebraska at Omaha