In this provocative study, Paul du Gay makes a compelling case for the continuing importance of bureaucracy. Taking inspiration from the work of Max Weber, du Gay launches a staunch defence of `the bureaucratic ethos′ and highlights its continuing relevance to the achievement of social order and good government in liberal democratic societies.
Through a comprehensive engagement with both historical and contemporary critiques of bureaucracy and a careful examination of the policies of organizational change within the public services today, du Gay develops a major reappraisal of the so-called `traditional′ ethic of office. In doing so he highlights the ways in which many of the key features of bureaucratic conduct that came into existence a century ago still remain essential to the provision of responsible democratic government.
Table of Content
Introduction
Bureaucratic Morality
PART ONE: THE RELIGIOUS AND ROMANTIC ORIGINS OF ′BUREAU CRITIQUE′
Alasdair Mac Intyre and the Christian Genealogy of ′Bureau Critique′
Bauman′s Bureau
′Modernity′, Identity, Ethics
The Anti-Bureaucrats
Contemporary Managerial Discourse and Charismatic Authority
PART TWO: ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNANCE AND THE BUREAUCRATIC ETHOS
Office as a Vocation? Entrepreneurial Governance and Bureaucracy-Critique
′Vitalizing′ State Bureaux
Some Ethico-Political Consequences of ′Re-Inventing Government′
Separate and Distinct
Personae
′Bureaucrats′ and ′Politicians′
Conclusion
The Ethos of Office and State Interest
About the author
Paul du Gay is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at The Open University
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