Viewing the public as owners rather than customers of government,
this book argues that better performance by public agencies
requires active and responsible citizens as well as efficient
organizations.
"What I like most about this book is that it brings historically
grounded arguments to bear on the citizenship/professionalism
debate that has simmered since professional management developed at
the turn of the century. Citizenship is an enduring theme in the
public administration, management, and political science
literature. The topic is destined to remain a front burner issue
given the impact of federal budget cuts on programs, entitlements,
and services. The "Contract with America" requires individuals to
contemplate citizenship. Some expanded citizenship duties will
enable individuals to rationalize and cope with a downsized
government". -- James A. Stever, University of Cincinnati
Challenging the assumptions of the "reinventing-government"
movement now in vogue, this book unites a call for active
citizenship with the current concern for improving public-agency
performance. The author argues that citizens should not be viewed
as customers of government, as reinventing-government advocates
assume, but rather as government's owners. By analyzing a
turn-of-the-century model of urban reform that depicts this
relationship between citizens and government, Schachter shows how
reinvigorating an active public is essential to increasing agency
efficiency and responsiveness. She offers two strategies for moving
toward active citizenship: better citizenship education, including
service learning, and public agencies' provision of better-focused
information for their owners.
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