Accountability -- What government does-and how it does it -- What is public administration? -- Organizational theory -- The executive branch -- Organization problems -- Administrative reform -- The civil service -- Human capital -- Decision making : rationality and risk -- Budgeting -- Implementation and performance -- Regulation and the courts -- Accountability and politics.

"Efficient public administration requires a delicate balance-the bureaucracy must be powerful enough to be effective, but also accountable to elected officials and citizens. Don Kettl understands that the push and pull of political forces in a democracy make the functions of bureaucracy contentious, but no less crucial. The Politics of the Administrative Process gives students a realistic, relevant, and well-researched view of the field while also remaining reader friendly with its engaging vignettes and rich examples. With a unique focus on policymaking and politics, the eighth edition continues its strong emphasis on politics, accountability, and performance. The new edition has been thoroughly updated with new scholarship, data, events, and case studies, giving students multiple opportunities to apply ideas and analysis as they read"--