"Woven through this text is the unifying theme that American politics represents “conflict and compromise,” in direct opposition to the increasingly commonly held view that all politics is dirty and all politicians are crooks. By presenting a balance of essential factual content with a broad assessment of system dynamics and their policy effects, the authors provide an accessible yet sophisticated overview of American politics. Features:Coherent theme of “conflict versus compromise”...

Highlights the skills and practices necessary for effective leader-managers in the public sector. It begins by clarifying the differences between leadership and management. It then draws on in-depth interviews with seven successful leader-managers in different policy fields to identify six critical skills and practices that are necessary for good leadership and good management in the public sector.

This book offers important insights into the complex nature of educational accountability and its role in supporting school improvement. By developing two key concepts – educational accountability and American federalism – the book highlights various types of accountability that take place in different institutional settings.By moving beyond the long-standing, test-based, administrative approach to accountability, the author demonstrates how professional, market, and political acco...