The Case for Bureaucracy: A Public Administration Polemic

by Charles T. Goodsell

The Case for Bureaucracy persuasively argues that American public servants and administrative institutions are among the best in the world. Contrary to popular stereotypes, they are neither sources of great waste nor a threat to liberty, but social assets of critical value to a functioning democracy. In presenting his case, Goodsell touches on core aspects of public administration while drawing on important, recent events to bring case material and empirical evidence fully up to date.

This new edition incorporates the events of 9/11 to explore their impact on future bureaucratic performance, speaking specifically to the massive reorganization under the new Department of Homeland Security. As well, Goodsell offers a complete assessment of the reinventing government movement and related reforms to show how far bureaucracies have come, while pointing to the challenges they continue to face. Updating worth highlighting:

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Government, Public Policy

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Charles True Goodsell was an American academic and writer who was Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech's Center for Public Administration and Policy. He was perhaps best known for his volume The Case for Bureaucracy, now in its 4th edition.
Goodsell was a co-author of the Blacksburg Manifesto, written with Gary Wamsley, Robert Bacher, Philip Kronenberg, John Rohr, Camilla Stivers, Orion White, and James Wolf – all of whom were at Virginia Tech during the 1980s. In 1994, Goodsell was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good overview of both the strengths and weaknesses of our public bureaucracy. I will likely use this in my intro course for potential public administrators because he does a good job of covering reputable research as well as the realities of working in the public sector.

[Christian Angelucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opened up my eyes quite a bit.

[Rosa Bergerac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public policy, organization theory and public administration adjusted.

[JoLyn Brixey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to me as a state government employee. I work with some fine people and some not so fine people. However, so does my husband who works for an airline. Anywhere people come together, there will be slackers and hard workers both. This book explores factual information about the public's satisfaction/dissatisfaction with government. It also argues that American bureaucracies (governmental) are the most efficient in the world, and provide the most services. The size of the federal government is amazing, but when you look at what they get done, that is also surprising. I'm glad I read this book. It gave me factual, rather than anecdotal information on this topic.

[Matt Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed explanation of the efficiency of the federal system in the United States. This helps to combat the balance of the words "Bureaucracy" with "inefficiency." Helps to give a picture of the massive Leviathan breadth of the government and the many ways in which is holds itself accountable for efficiency in ways that the private sector doesn't have to. Part of the appeal, for me, is personal as a federal employee, so I know there's an element of "Go Team!" to it. That said, it remains a quick and compelling case, regardless of one's employer.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book used empirical evidence in the defense of bureaucracy. I believe that Goodsell made his point that bureaucracy is not inherently a bad thing and that each must be taken on their own merits.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this in about a week for school. It made good points and I feel that if I would have taken more time to read it and really process it, it would have been more beneficial for me. It is kind of like reading a textbook.

[Sara Beth Cockerham · Rating 3 out of 5]

All he is saying is give bureaucracy a chance.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look at something that we all gripe about. Maybe (maybe) they aren't so bad...

[PK Appiah]

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