From Policy to Administration: Essays in Honour of William A. Robson

From Policy to Administration is a collection of essays written around a unified theme, exploring the paradox between policy and administration in government activities. The book discusses the relationship between policy-making and administration, participation, decentralization, devolution, public corporations, efficiency, and legal processes. It is a mark of William Robson's versatility that no book could cover all of his interests, making it of interest to scholars and researchers of public administration and political studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

From Policy to Administration, a seminal work first published in 1976, stands as a remarkable testament to the power of unified thought and coherent writing. Rather than a conventional Festschrift comprising a collection of essays on diverse subjects, this book is a tightly curated ensemble of essays that revolve around a central theme. At first glance, policy and administration may seem to occupy opposing ends of the governmental spectrum, but upon closer examination, it becomes evident that they are integral components of nearly every government activity. The essays within this book seek to capture this paradoxical nature, exploring the interplay between policy-making and administration from various perspectives.

Dr. Jones delves into the administrative core of the policy-making machine, uncovering symptoms of this paradoxical relationship. Meanwhile, Professor Friedrich takes a broader view, examining the nature of the policy-making machine and its relationship to democratic forms. Four central essays by Professors Bernard Crick, Peter Self, John Mackintosh, and Mr. Sharpe provide a profound exploration of the connections between policy-making and administration, specifically addressing the controversies surrounding participation, decentralization, and devolution. Mr. Foster takes a unique approach, considering the public corporation as a dynamic instrument focused on enhancing efficiency.

The book concludes with thought-provoking essays by Professors Mitchell and Griffith, shedding light on the role of legal processes in shaping and facilitating policy and administration. It is important to note that From Policy to Administration does not attempt to encompass all of William Robson's diverse interests. Rather, it serves as a testament to the versatility of his genius, as no single book could adequately capture the breadth and depth of his contributions. This book holds immense value for scholars and researchers in the fields of public administration and political studies, offering a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the complex dynamics between policy-making and administration.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032225500