This book presents an overview of the scientific study of public management, gathering together some of the most authoritative experts in this area of study in Europe and the United States, writing specifically about their respective countries. These essays seek to present the national distinctiveness of the study of public management, in the context of specific state administration.

This book goes further than some previous books concerning public management by highlighting the underlying differences between Europe and the United States and amongst European countries, in relation to their particular political-administrative circumstances. The aim of this book is to establish a dialogue between Anglo-American and European approaches to public management, to encourage readers to see their own national ideas and practises in contrast to others and foster leaning by asking repeatedly 'compared to what?'