A New Synthesis of Public Administration: Serving in the 21st Century (Volume 81)

by Jocelyne Bourgon

A New Synthesis in Public Administration sets out a theoretical framework that takes this new reality into account. It reveals how government forms part of a co-evolving system between people and society, where public results are a shared responsibility and citizens are respected as important creators of public value.

430 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2011

Reviews

[Togar Silaban · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very fortunate to get this book directly from the author Jocelyne Bourgon, during the launching of the book in Canberra on 20 February 2012. She put her signature on my book. Ms. Bourgon talking about half hour, how and why she write the book.
The society is now in a very turbulent condition, Bourgon said; uncertainity, complexcity, volatility are the condition of the world. Public administrators and leaders have to adapt to such condition. In the 21 century, leaders should be able to provide service to the people who are seeking better and better service.

Whatever the condition, emergency, uncertainty, ambiguity, or normal, the government has to provide the best service to the people. The reason government exist is for serving the society. In order to maximize service to the people, it is an obligation for the government to improve adaptive capacity, so, when uncertainty occurs, the government knows how to manage the uncertainty. In the 21st century, uncertainty, and volatility become regular phenomenon. Bourgon trying to provide tips in facing 21st century phenomenon.

[Christopher Lin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started the book anticipating a revolutionary perspective on governance, however, I found the book mediocre at best. In my opinion, author rehashes truisms and restates known methods of dealing with complex issues and wicked problems. For instance, she talks about how govs need to co-create solutions with citizens, but if one looks to the business literature, or pioneering depts in the US, or the UK, that's hardly revolutionary!

I suppose to her credit, author never mentioned that she is putting together a robust theory, rather a broad (commonsensical) framework to inform next-generation governance. She also does a decent job at summarising existing trends, and codifying best practices of governments globally into a fairly easy-to-read primer on how to deal with governing challenges of the millennium.

Personally found Black Swan, Antifragile, and Fooled by Randomness by Taleb as better general materials for stimulating ideas on how org. should evolve.

[Scott Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

For public administration junkies, this book is undoubtedly a key read in understanding emerging practice and process. Outliniing an interative and engaging process for government agencies to work with local communities in order to ensure compliance, develop resilience, tackle emerging issues and deliver key public results. The theoretical model is somewhat dense but the use of key examples and studies provides a tangible reflection. Much of the material appears to support recent developing treands toward social innovation, deliberative democracy, community engagement and share leadership.

[Johannes Schunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very relevant and important content, but terribly cumbersome to read. A must for practitioners and policy makers if you can stand the unessecarily complicated language.