From its distant origins in 1923, Public Administration is now widely hailed as one of the most respected and prestigious journals in the field of public administration, policy, and management. R. A. W. Rhodes has served as the journal's influential editor for the past quarter century, a period that saw it gain in international stature by pioneering new approaches and publishing numerous leading and highly cited articles in the field. Beginning with the story of the journal up to his appointment as editor in 1986, Rhodes reflects on the transformations he has witnessed in the direction of the journal and its articles. He then presents a carefully chosen collection of the journal's most influential writings published during his tenure, including the most frequently cited and several recipients of journalistic awards. While a personal selection, these key articles also serve as a richly evocative portrait of the journal's evolution over the past 25 years, and includes articles on public administration theory, comparative administration, and public management. Rhodes concludes with a thought-provoking speculation about the future of the discipline. Public Administration: 25 Years of Analysis and Debate represents an essential single volume collection that vividly illustrates the changing face of public administration in the twenty-first century world.

R. A. W. Rhodes is Professor of Government in the School of Government at the University of Tasmania, Honorary Professorial Fellow in Political Science at the University of Melbourne, and Professor Emeritus of Politics at the University of Newcastle, UK. Rhodes was the editor of Public Administration from 1986 to 2011.