Futures for the Public Sector

Erscheinungsjahr 2025
ISBN: 978-94-6270-450-3
Verlag: Leuven University Press

Buch, Englisch, 428 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 560 g

Thought-provoking analysis of how illiberalism, major crises and digital transformation are changing our politico-administrative systems

What does the future hold for the public sector? A convergence of illiberalism, major crises, system quakes and digital transformations are reshaping current politico-administrative systems. How will this challenge the way states and public administrations can and should be managed, and what will be the impact on citizen–administrative relations and our models of democracy? In this book, leading public administration scholars reflect on major trends in the public sector and their implications. They offer visions of how the academic field of public administration can respond to or anticipate possible futures. Ideal for policymakers, academics, and anyone interested in the future of governance, this compelling work reflects on how the forces transforming our world will impact the public sector.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bouckaert, Geert

Hondeghem, Annie

Steen, Trui

Van de Walle, Steven

Weitere Mitwirkende

Bach, Tobias

Bauer, Michael W.

José Canel, María

Collington, Rosie

Dudau, Adina

Feeney, Mary K.

Head, Brian W.

Lee, Seulki

Lodge, Martin

Lotta, Gabriela

Maesschalck, Jeroen

Meijer, Albert

Micacchi, Lorenza

Moon, Jae M.

Moynihan, Donald

Nasi, Greta

Nistotskaya, Marina

Nõmmik, Steven

Olsen, Asmus Leth

Ire, Park

Park, Seungkyu

Randma-Livv, Tiina

Riccucci, Norma M.

Ripoll, Guillem

Ritz, Adrian

Roberts, Alasdair

Van Thiel, Sandra

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Verwaltungswissenschaft, Öffentliche Verwaltung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface

by Annie Hondeghem and Trui Steen

INTRODUCTION

Looking at futures for the public sector

by Geert Bouckaert

PART 1: FUTURES OF THE POLITICOADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

Strategies for democratic public administration in an era of populism

by Michael W. Bauer

The trend towards fragility in the 21st century

by Alasdair Roberts

Undermining the administrative state: The case of the United States

by Donald Moynihan

Shifting power structures in the US: The rolling back of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies

by Norma M. Riccucci

PART 2: FUTURES OF CONTAINING CRISES AND DISRUPTION

Are poly-crises the new normal? Challenges for public administration in liberal-democratic states

by Brian W. Head

The rise of hybridity in the new ‘normalcy’ of crises

by Tiina Randma-Liiv and Steven Nõmmik

The future role of government in cybersecurity

by Greta Nasi

The dawn of disruptive technology-driven future government

by M. Jae Moon, Seulgi Lee, Seungkyu Park, and Ire Park

The digital transformation as a double governance challenge

by Albert Meijer

PART 3: FUTURES OF CITIZEN-STATE INTERACTIONS

The rise of sceptical citizens about public administration communication

by María José Canel

Politicisation and populism: The future of the frontline of public services

by Gabriela Lotta

PART 4: FUTURES OF ADMINISTRATING THE STATE

The transformation of the regulatory state?

by Martin Lodge

Why we need more public value

by Sandra Van Thiel

Ecosystems: the word that would be king?

by Adina Dudau

PART 5: FUTURES OF MANAGING THE CIVIL SERVICE

Shifting dynamics of advice: Non-state experts and private sector consultancies in public policy

by Rosie Collington

Flexibilisation of work and the future of public sector employment

by Adrian Ritz, Guillem Ripoll, and Lorenza Micacchi

The future of bureaucratic merit

by Marina Nistotskaya

The functional politicisation of the merit civil service: From responsive to subservient bureaucracy?

by Tobias Bach

The disappearance of lower-grade bureaucrats

by Steven Van de Walle

PART 6: FUTURES OF STUDYING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Using Public Administration research to strengthen ‘futures thinking’ in the public sector

by Jeroen Maesschalck

The future of a scattered field: Challenges and opportunities

by Asmus Leth Olsen

The rise of open science and public access: Implications for Public Administration research

by Mary K. Feeney

CONCLUSION

Which futures for the public sector?

by Geert Bouckaert

List of contributors

Über Autor(innen)

Hondeghem, Annie
Annie Hondeghem is professor and former director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She co-ordinates the Policy Research Centre on Governance Innovation, commissioned by the Flemish government.

Van de Walle, Steven
Steven Van de Walle is professor in public management at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. Prior to joining KU Leuven, he held the chair of Public Management at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Steen, Trui
Trui Steen is professor in public governance and co-production of public services and director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She publishes on public sector innovation and co-creation of public services.

José Canel, María
María José Canel is Professor of political and public sector communication at the Complutense University of Madrid, specialising in trust, legitimacy and communication in public institutions.

Maesschalck, Jeroen
Jeroen Maesschalck is Professor of Criminology and Police Studies at KU Leuven.

Bouckaert, Geert
Geert Bouckaert is professor emeritus at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. He is past-president of the European Group for Public Administration, and of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences.

Geert Bouckaert is professor at KU Leuven and Chair of the Committee for Contemporary Art.