| The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering |  | Authors: Janet Vinzant Denhardt, Robert B. Denhardt
Publisher: M.E. Sharpe
Category: Book
Buy New: $29.95
New (14) Used (3) from $21.56
Rating:  2 reviews
Media: Paperback
Edition: Expanded
Pages: 222
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.6
ISBN: 0765619997
Dewey Decimal Number: 351
EAN: 9780765619990
ASIN: 0765619997
Publication Date: March 2007
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This widely praised work provides a framework for the many voices calling for the reaffirmation of democratic values, citizenship, and service in the public interest. The expanded edition includes an all-new chapter that addresses the practical issues of applying these ideals in actual, real-life situations. "The New Public Service, Expanded Edition" is organized around a set of seven core principles: serve citizens, not customers; seek the public interest; value citizenship and public service above entrepreneurship; think strategically, act democratically; recognize that accountability isn't simple; serve, rather than steer; and value people, not just productivity. The book asks us to think carefully and critically about what public service is, why it is important, and what values ought to guide what we do and how we do it. It celebrates what is distinctive, important and meaningful about public service and considers how we might better live up to those ideals and values. All students and serious practitioners in public administration and public policy should read this book. While debates about public policy issues will surely continue, this compact, clearly written volume provides an important framework for public service based on and fully integrated with citizen discourse and the public interest.
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| Customer Reviews:
 The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering September 27, 2008
J. Guetschow (Blissfield MI USA)
This is required reading for a graduate level Master in Public Administration course. It appears to provide a framework for current principles of public administration with a historical context culminating in service. The expanded edition provides an even more up-to-date application in the concluding chapter.
 A Tale of Three Metaphors January 30, 2007
Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL))
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Three metaphors guide this excellent little book. The "Old Public Administration" featured the metaphor of "rowing." As the authors put it (page 169): ". . .the purpose of government was simply to deliver services efficiently, and that problems were to be addressed primarily by changing the organization's structure and control systems." The "rowing" refers to the hard work of public administration delivering services.
The "New Public Management" uses a different metaphor, "steering." The authors note (page 13): "They are urged to 'steer, not row,' meaning they should not assume the burden of service delivery themselves, but, wherever possible, should define programs that others would then carry out, through contracting or other such relationships. . . .New Public Management [NPM] relies heavily on market mechanisms to guide public programs."
And, finally, the preferred metaphor of the Denhardts, "serving." Their "New Public Service" would focus on "listening" to and "serving" the public. They observe that NPM forgets who owns the boat. That is, government belongs to the people, not the "steerers"; ". . .public administrators should focus on their responsibility to serve and empower citizens as they manage public organizations and implement public policy." (page 23).
One of the more interesting themes that are addressed in this volume: NPM looks at people as customers and tries to figure out how best to make consumers satisfied; the authors of this volume argue that we are to serve citizens, not create satisfied customers. In a democracy, citizenship means something and the people should be engaged through the New Public Service. With its market-oriented perspective, according to the authors, NPM does not consider citizenship as a critical factor.
This is a well written and thought provoking essay, well worth reading by those interested in contemporary public administration, by the idea of public service, and by those wondering how democracy can thrive in a complex organizational world.
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