Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why They Do It

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Bureaucracy is the classic study of the way American government agencies work and how they can be made to work better. Examining a wide range of bureaucracies, including the Army, the FBI, the FCC, and the Social Security Administration, James Q. Wilson provides the first comprehensive, in-depth analysis of what government agencies do, why they function as they do, and how they might become more responsible and effective. With a new introduction by the author.

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More About This Book

Overview

Bureaucracy is the classic study of the way American government agencies work and how they can be made to work better. Examining a wide range of bureaucracies, including the Army, the FBI, the FCC, and the Social Security Administration, James Q. Wilson provides the first comprehensive, in-depth analysis of what government agencies do, why they function as they do, and how they might become more responsible and effective. With a new introduction by the author.

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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Wilson (management, UCLA) attempts to explain bureaucratic behavior, beginning with a contrast of similar institutions (armies, prisons, and schools) that have succeeded and failed. He finds that neither the liberal view (more money, new programs) or the conservative ideology (smaller government) provides the single answer. Wilson's key contribution here is his emphasis on the ``bottom'' of the bureaucracy--those who do the work. Policy, he says, is developed by those with no understanding of its implementation. In addition, Wilson suggests that bureaucracy can be made ``efficient'' by giving bureaucrats more incentives and flexibility, a strategy, he concludes, that conflicts with our political culture. For academic libraries.-- Jeffrey Kraus, Wagner Coll., Staten Island, New York
Booknews
An in-depth analysis of what government bureaucracies do, why they behave the way they do, and how they might become more responsible and effective. A conservative, free-market approach to the subject of bureaucracy, reformers are seen as part of the problem, and deregulation of bureaucracies, analogous to deregulation of business, as part of the solution. For those who believe that airline deregulation made the airlines more responsible. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780465007844
  • Publisher: Basic Books
  • Publication date: 12/6/1989
  • Pages: 448

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