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The American Statehouse examines the interplay of architecture and
politics in all fifty state capitols. Using both careful analysis
and photographs of exteriors and interiors, Goodsell demonstrates
how the architectural elements embody political values and ideas;
influence how politicians, lobbyists, and the news media behave;
and both awe and unite the citizenry. He concludes that a
statehouse's design is an intentional expression of how to practice
politics democratically.
The American state capitol is a "statehouse" in that it was
historically conceived as the center and home of all of state
government. As a building type, it emerged in the early nineteenth
century and flowered in the early twentieth. One of the very few
purely American architectural forms, the statehouse not only
encloses but also symbolizes American democracy at the state
level.
That all three branches of government, not to mention the state
bureaucracy initially, were housed under one roof meant that the
doctrine of the separation of powers had to be "worked out" in
close quarters, often in revealing ways. What also evolved in the
statehouse was a distinct style of politics that mixed colorful
leadership, varied partisanship, bicameral opposition, deliberative
debate, insider lobbying, uninhibited reporting, bureaucratic
growth, and populist activism. All of these elements both affected
and were acted upon by the built form--the statehouse--of state
government.
At the nexus of architectural studies and political science,
this book is about the interaction of architecture and politics in
America's state capitols. Goodsell offers what he calls a social
interpretation of architecture. Toward this end, he utilizes three
conceptual frameworks: one devoted to seeking political values or
ideas embedded within the buildings, a second concerned with the
effects of the buildings on contemporary political behavior, and a
third seeking to appraise larger impressions the buildings make on
society. Goodsell concludes that the statehouse enshrines both
majestic state authority on the one hand and liberal representative
government on the other. The American statehouse, then, is not just
a temple but a temple of democracy.
"This book is a great resource to introduce the field to those who
are just thinking of becoming public administrators...The first
book of its kind to focus not on managers but on the front-line
employees themselves." -Russell W. Mills, Bowling Green State
University This latest work by highly regarded scholar of
bureaucracy Charles T. Goodsell uses narrative essays and
accompanying video profiles to bring to life the work and careers
of individuals working for the common good in 12 essential jobs at
all three levels of American government. The first book to
explicitly encourage undergraduates to consider the public service
as a career, Public Servants Studied in Image and Essay offers an
on-the-ground look at some of the careers available to them after
graduation. It showcases the hard work and dedication of ordinary
bureaucrats-rather than administrative leaders-to help students
appreciate the nature and achievements of American bureaucracy. The
book's narratives are framed by an introduction and conclusion by
Goodsell to provide context and to place them within the research
on bureaucracy and public administration. This book includes
Exclusive! Video Interviews
In an era filled with mistrust for big government and big business,
Charles Goodsell goes against this grain to draw attention to
public agencies admired for what they do and how well they do it.
In his groundbreaking new book, Goodsell places renewed focus on
organizational mission and its potential to be a strong energizing
force in government-one that animates a workforce internally and
attracts admiration and talent externally. He offers a normative
template for the mystique that underlies this phenomenon and
highlights-in six rich case studies-a driving sense of purpose, a
cultural and motivational richness, and a capacity for tolerating
dissent while still innovating and learning. Analyzing what works
best (and what doesn't), Goodsell provides a metric through which
agency mystique can be evaluated and modeled. Goodsell's fresh take
on public agencies not only defines good public administration in
terms of ethical conduct, constitutional accountability, and
performance effectiveness, but argues that the field must add the
crucial standard of institutional vitality.
This unique collection broadens the focus of public administration
to include practical and theoretical insights from the worlds of
literature and the arts. By making connections between what are
normally seen as disparate arenas, the contributors seek to enrich
the theory and practice of public administration. The volume
connects administrative and management concepts to both Western and
Eastern aesthetic theories; provides insights into administration
by surveying literature and film for negative and positive
constructs of bureaucracy; examines historical and fictional
portrayals of leadership; and points to the influence of literature
and film on public policy innovation. This work will be of interest
to both scholars and practitioners in public administration.
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