Taking a critical approach, Ian Greener examines the key concepts and ideas of public management, not only in terms of their efficacy, but also in their private management and societal context. Throughout the text comparative case studies introduce students to public management ideas from the US, the UK, and Europe.

Introduction
PART I: THE CONTEXT OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Public and Private Management
The Changing Role of the State
Changing Ideas about Public Management
PART II: ORGANISATIONAL IDEAS IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT UNDER CHALLENGE
Paying for Public Services
The Use of Markets in the Public Sector
The Role of Users in Public Services
PART III: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Performance Management
Professionals in Public Management
PART IV: CONCLUSION
Putting it all Together: Managing Contradictions in Public Management

IAN GREENER is Reader in the School of Applied Social Sciences, University of Durham, UK.