The corruption of public officials in the United States and its corrosive impact on public policy, political stability and democratic institutions, earns it a spot among the most critical public crises of the last decade. There have been scandals involving elected officials across the political spectrum from local elected officials up to the White House, involving conflicts of interest, campaign fundraising and political elections. At the heart of many scandals is the discretionary power of public officials to make decisions based on personal interest, often leading to corruption. Understanding the nature and etiology of corruption is important to drafting controls on discretion and rules for accountability. While strict regulation and oversight mechanisms have previously been designed to encourage ethical decision-making and punish violators, it is the media and citizens that have increasingly become modern mechanisms of accountability. Corruption of public governance not only undermines the effectiveness of the political system; it also results in corrupt public policymaking on the most pressing issues facing Americans today. This timely and insightful book provides the key elements needed to understand the nature and prevalence of corruption in public governance, as well as the devastating public policy consequences. The chapters explore the implications of public governance corruption on political stability, public trust, and policymaking, as well as recommendations for how to establish controls on discretion and strict regulation to increase accountability and corruption control in public governance.

The corruption of public officials in the United States and its corrosive impact on public policy, political stability and democratic institutions, earns it a spot among the most critical public crises of the last decade. There have been scandals involving elected officials across the political spectrum from local elected officials up to the White House, involving conflicts of interest, campaign fundraising and political elections. At the heart of many scandals is the discretionary power of public officials to make decisions based on personal interest, often leading to corruption. Understanding the nature and etiology of corruption is important to drafting controls on discretion and rules for accountability. While strict regulation and oversight mechanisms have previously been designed to encourage ethical decision-making and punish violators, it is the media and citizens that have increasingly become modern mechanisms of accountability. Corruption of public governance not only undermines the effectiveness of the political system; it also results in corrupt public policymaking on the most pressing issues facing Americans today. This timely and insightful book provides the key elements needed to understand the nature and prevalence of corruption in public governance, as well as the devastating public policy consequences. The chapters explore the implications of public governance corruption on political stability, public trust, and policymaking, as well as recommendations for how to establish controls on discretion and strict regulation to increase accountability and corruption control in public governance.

It is critical for professors to be able to teach students from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to achieve success. This book provides an essential insight into teaching cultural competence in colleges and universities across the United States. Covering the experiences and challenges of instructors across disciplines, the chapters focus on the research, practices, narratives, and reflections related to preparing students to be culturally competent. Intended to address how to challenge systems that give power to only majority or privileged cultures, the purpose of this edited collection is to provide a vital resource through which readers can be equipped with the necessary knowledge related to teaching cultural competence. It provides a reference for instructors, researchers, and other stakeholders who are looking for material and strategies that will assist them in preparing students to become culturally competent.

Political movements and citizens across the globe are increasingly challenging the traditional ways in which political authorities and governing bodies establish and maintain social control. This edited collection examines the intersections of social control, political authority and public policy. Each chapter provides an important insight into the key elements needed to understand the role of governance in establishing and maintaining social control through law and public policymaking. Close attention is paid to the roles of surveillance and dissent as tools for both establishing and disrupting the social control of political institutions. This collection examines the vast implications of increased participation in governance by citizens through dissent, revealing the ways in which this represents both a disruption of social control and a mechanism for increased accountability through surveillance and media. Through its examination of issues such as police militarization, police legitimacy, religion and the state, immigration, mental health policy, privacy and surveillance, and mass media and social control in a post-truth environment, this collection will prove invaluable for researchers, policy makers and practitioners alike.

Navigating the Open Road: Selected Readings on Mapping Your Post-College Career is designed to help graduating college and university seniors seek their first full-time position. The text highlights the intricacies of the job search process and how students can position themselves for the best chance at finding their dream job. Divided into five units, the book helps readers navigate the roadwork of their career. The first unit includes a series of articles that address why personality matters, how to assess your own personality traits, and the relationship between job success, personality, and IQ. The second unit focuses on resume development and applicant tracking systems. In the third unit, students learn the art of the cover letter, from understanding the necessary components to attaching an electronic signature to creating a communication that could result in a job interview. The fourth unit discusses technology and the job search, including information on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, mobile technology, and more. In the final unit, students learn how to promote themselves successfully and answer difficult questions during the interview process. Providing readers with critical information on managing the job search process and improving their chances of securing a meaningful job, Navigating the Open Road is an ideal resource for graduating students.

What are the real differences between the Democrats and the Republicans on major economic issues that influence the character and vitality of the American economy? This volume answers this question in a thorough, nonpartisan, and evenhanded fashion. Both the Democratic and Republican parties proclaim that they have the best interests of the nation and its people at heart. Both are also adamant that they have the best proposals and positions on economic policies, including taxation, spending priorities, wages, business regulation, and other influences on economic growth and household finances. This volume carefully examines the two parties' respective policies, providing a detailed yet readable and understandable look at how the parties agree, disagree, and find compromise on the broad range of problems and issues facing American society in the 21st century. Each entry includes an infographic that offers bulleted "at-a-glance" summaries of the two parties' positions on each issue today, an "Issue Overview" providing basic definitions and background for understanding the debate on each issue, and a main entry that explains prevailing party sentiments, the diversity of opinion within each party, and the shifts in party position on that issue over time. Selected entries also feature informative sidebars that supply additional content, such as primary documents that showcase the viewpoints of key political figures and institutions or biographical profiles of individuals who have helped shape their party's policies on the issue in question.

A collection of expert essays examines the privacy rights that have been lost in the post-9/11 era-giving students and others the knowledge they need to take back their constitutional protections. This timely two-volume collection shares information every citizen should have, tackling the erosion of privacy rights engendered by the ability of digital technology to intercept, mine, and store personal data, most often without the knowledge of those being monitored. Examining its subject through the lens of Fourth Amendment rights, the work focuses on technological advances that now gather personal data on an unprecedented scale, whether by monitoring social media, tracking cell phones, or using thermal imaging to watch people's movement. It also examines the possible impact of the widespread gathering of such data by law enforcement and security agencies and by private corporations such as Google. Organized by hot-button topics confronting U.S. citizens in the post-9/11 era, the work reviews the original intent of the Fourth Amendment and then traces the development and erosion of interpretations of that amendment in the 21st century. Topical essays offer a comprehensive treatment and understanding of current Fourth Amendment issues, including those that have been brought before the courts and those relative to the continuing governmental and societal emphasis on security and public safety since the Columbine shootings in 1999 and the events of September 11, 2001. Traces the historical development of the Fourth Amendment through recent Supreme Court decisions Offers a discussion of current issues and traces the legislative history related to those issues Highlights the use of new technologies to limit privacy rights Combines an awareness of the complexities of the digital age with scholarly analysis Speaks to the interests of students, scholars, and the general reader about the challenges facing the Fourth Amendment in the 21st century

This two-volume work addresses every key, cutting-edge issue regarding the First Amendment, including subjects such as freedom of religion, freedom of press, freedom of speech, and freedom of organization. First Amendment Rights: An Encyclopedia provides both historical information and current, 21st-century topics in First Amendment issues. Volume 1 addresses the subject through the lens of past decisions and precedent, updated to include controversies between new social media and civil liberties. Volume 2 examines the current state of First Amendment rights, addressing the changes in interpretations of the First Amendment by the Roberts Court as well as in-vogue issues such as Occupy Movements as well as student rights and responsibilities in freedom of religion and speech cases. Key cases are highlighted throughout the text to further comprehension of the underlying issues and subtle complexities. The information is presented so that readers can examine cases in the Roberts court and draw their own conclusions. Coverage is also provided of the challenges and opportunities that arise with the adoption of new technologies and their impact on the interpretations of the First Amendment. Contributions from 20 academicians and practitioners Several court case highlights A complete bibliography and a chapter-by-chapter glossary

"With governments now expected to make a strong web presence, it is important that students of public policy and administration gain insights and skills in this area. Lind and Otenyo provide a text in this area, address the use, potential, laws, and issues related to the emerging government use of the electronic media. A well-done, timely book on a critical area." - Ed Miller, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point"The book offers a nice overview of the issues, and it is wide ranging, intelligent, well researched, and well written." - Robert Anthony Maranto, University of Arkansas

The First World Presidency presents one piece of the global debate on America's leadership, especially the U.S. presidency on the world stage. The authors pose that if the Reagan presidency created conditions for the collapse of widespread Communism, then the succeeding George H. W. Bush administration was the first real world presidency. For the first time in recent world history, the president of a single country was presented with an unprecedented opportunity to shape world politics. This book examines the president's role and outcomes of his leadership. The book provides a helpful description of the context in which President Bush became a world leader, as well as specific references to his leadership in major regions of the world. The authors also deliver a balanced view of his conduct in both foreign and domestic policy making. It further illuminates a global view of President Bush's global vision dubbed the "new world order." This is the first book, in a post-de Tocquevillean sense, to examine the activities of a U.S. president and how he affected world politics at large.

This book examines ten key issues-poverty, housing, taxation and the economy, child welfare, education, health, criminal justice, civil rights, and global issues-confronting social work professionals and places them in their larger context. The introduction to each issue identifies its genesis or the reasons that the issue became a dominant theme in the policymaking agendas of Congress. The second and third sections of each issue provide actual arguments written and spoken by elected officials, both in the U.S. Congress and the Presidency, representing liberal versus conservative viewpoints on the issues. By providing the actual text of the arguments and refraining from interpreting and biasing the political viewpoints of the legislators, the book enables students to critically evaluate each side of the debate and to become empowered to bring about change. The vantage point of Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy is that both liberal and conservative policymakers have good reasons for holding their respective beliefs. Students thus are provided with the opportunity to learn about the other side. This knowledge will improve students' confidence when approaching policymakers and enhance their ability to be effective advocates. Understanding both sides of issues central to social work professionals will facilitate the development of arguments and policy options that satisfy decision makers of either political orientation.

This book examines ten key issues-poverty, housing, taxation and the economy, child welfare, education, health, criminal justice, civil rights, and global issues-confronting social work professionals and places them in their larger context. The introduction to each issue identifies its genesis or the reasons that the issue became a dominant theme in the policymaking agendas of Congress. The second and third sections of each issue provide actual arguments written and spoken by elected officials, both in the U.S. Congress and the Presidency, representing liberal versus conservative viewpoints on the issues. By providing the actual text of the arguments and refraining from interpreting and biasing the political viewpoints of the legislators, the book enables students to critically evaluate each side of the debate and to become empowered to bring about change. The vantage point of Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy is that both liberal and conservative policymakers have good reasons for holding their respective beliefs. Students thus are provided with the opportunity to learn about the other side. This knowledge will improve students' confidence when approaching policymakers and enhance their ability to be effective advocates. Understanding both sides of issues central to social work professionals will facilitate the development of arguments and policy options that satisfy decision makers of either political orientation.

The George W. Bush administration has become one of the most controversial in American history. The president that once enjoyed a post-9/11 astronomical approval rating as high as 88% ranked almost as low in his second term as any president in history. George Bush's presidency has been white-hot controversial. Fueling the controversies have been his speeches and public statements ("axis of evil," "mission accomplished," etc.). In this volume the most critical issues of this presidental era are brought to the forefront, examined through primary-document excerpts from presidental speeches, public statements, and letters, and from opposing congressional arguments. Over 70 primary documents on 36 issues address the Bush administration's economic, domestic, and foreign policy, and response to terrorism, including: BLthe Enron trial BLsocial security reform BLNo Child Left Behind BLThe Patriot Act BLthe Abu Ghraib scandal BLthe response to Hurricane Katrina BLKyoto Climate Protocol BLFaith-based and community initiatives BLAttack on Afghanistan Introductory sections set the context for each document, and extensive lists of web sites and further reading sources supplement the material. This volume is an excellent resource for helping students understand events that will affect the U.S. for years to come.

Public administration scholars and practitioners are increasingly concerned with the need to broaden the field's scope beyond particularistic accounts of administration in given countries. The field of Comparative administration is, therefore, once again thriving. "Comparative Administration: The Essential Readings" is the first major collection of contributions of major field leaders in this millennium. In this comprehensive and engaging volume, Otenyo and Lind bring together seminal readings in comparative, development public administration and contemporary new public management scholarship. This authoritative and well balanced volume provides readers at all levels with a rare opportunity to contextualize the field's growth and evolution. In what is truly a remarkable collection of the field's best minds, the book is a rare combination of conceptual and truly comparative empirical works. Without endorsing specific methodologies, the volume is an exciting and succinct overview the field's past and current concerns and interests. An outstanding feature of this book is that it carefully combines both previously published and fresh works considered 'essential' because of their potential impact on the field's development. The reader will notice that while most of the chapters are broad-brush studies, the selected case-specific chapters are added to illuminate conceptual and theoretical insights. Organized around broad array of topics and themes that include; Methods and Growth of Comparative Public Administration, the Ecology of Administration, Administrative Development, and Development Administration, Planning, Decentralization and Rural Administration, New Public Management, Informatization in administrative settings, and International Administration, the editors seek to provide readers a broader context in which to comprehend public administration in a globalizing world. Hopefully, this timely volume is a valuable resource for a variety of audiences involved in public administration including students and practitioners all over the world.

This one-stop resource for debating the central issues that shaped the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton presidencies provides the text of pro and con primary documents from the presidents and their opponents, plus helpful analysis to put the issues in context. With this work, students will be able to debate the issues and apply critical thinking skills to their understanding of contemporary American politics and government. The work examines a set of issues and initiatives central to each president's time in office and presents issue-specific introductions that place the issues in political context.

Domestic and economic policy, as well as military and foreign policy, of each president are covered. The entry on each issue contains an overview of the issue and discussion of opposing viewpoints, followed by a statement from the president and the text of an opponent's dissenting point of view. Coverage of the Reagan presidency includes the first Reagan economic program, the 1986 tax reform, peacekeeping in Lebanon, the Strategic Defense Initiative, and the Iran Contra scandal. Issues from the Bush presidency include drug control, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Clarence Thomas' nomination to the Supreme Court, and the Persian Gulf War. The Clinton presidency topics include homosexuals in the military, health care reform, the Starr investigation and Clinton's impeachment, peacekeeping in Bosnia, and the bombing of Kosovo. The section on each president concludes with recommended reading for further study. An introductory overview to the period and a timeline put all the issues in chronological context.