Chapter 8

Thinking Government: Public Administration and Politics in Canada

Issues in Management Reform

This chapter reviews contemporary public sector management reforms that are altering both federal and provincial governments. The discussion

  • articulates the theory of new public management;
  • explores the concept of reinventing government; and
  • assesses the impact of these theories on the practice of public administration.

The drive for reinvention seeks to develop government that is

  • catalytic
  • community owned
  • mission driven
  • results oriented
  • customer driven
  • enterprising
  • anticipatory
  • decentralized
  • market oriented

Both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical usefulness of government reform principles have met with severe criticism. The primary drawbacks are examined through the work of Canadian scholars:

  • Donald Savoie;
  • Michael Trebilcock; and
  • Paul Thomas.

Finally, the chapter analyzes the application of public sector management theory over the past two decades. The policy directions of the governments of Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper are evaluated in terms of management reform, especially with respect to service delivery.


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