This text describes, explains and evaluates the nature of the public sector and its management in a period of rapid economic, social, political and technological change. The themes explored should be relevant right across the public sector. The text explains the recent historical context of the public sector, explains and challenges the response to recent changes and looks at how change can be managed more effectively in the future. This book should be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students of public administration and public sector management/government, as well as students taking professional courses with CIPFA and ICSA and public sector executives on short courses.