The 1980 edition set forth the way public service workers function as policy makers, given their considerable discretion in day-to-day program implementation. The core dilemma of “street-level bureaucrats” is that they are often forced to adopt practices not aligned with208 agency goals or favorable to clients. This edition explains how public managers have developed ways to bring street level bureaucrats – in healthcare, social services, education, and law enforcement —more in line with agency goals.

(PUBLIC SERVICES ACCOUNTABILITY * GOVERNMENT * “STREET LEVEL BUREAUCRACY”)

Argues that integration has a profound and long-term effect on the citizens of EU countries, most of whom now have a secondary “European identity” to complement their national ones. The EU public sphere – now marked by a democratic deficit, or sharp distinction between the level of decision-making and the level where policies are played out—will only benefit from politicization and further debating Europe.

(EUROPE * DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT IN EUROPE)

Voter fraud is a myth intended to further complicate the voting process and to reduce voter turnout. After the 2000 election in the US, allegations of voter fraud obscured concerns with the structural inequities in which votes are gathered and tallied, justifying tighter restrictions on access to the polls. Distinguishes fraud from the manifold ways democracy can be distorted. Search for evidence of voter fraud shows that despite voting irregularities across the US, instances of deliberate voter fraud are rare.

(DEMOCRACY * VOTER FRAUD QUESTIONED)

Discusses ACORN, the 2008 presidential election, and the Obama presidency, and the impact of these events for college students and their concepts of citizenship. Evaluates participation, civility, and stability to explain and address widespread civic indifference ad apathy toward government.

(CITIZENSHIP IN U.S.)

Social Security faces insolvency “far sooner” than anticipated. Constructs a detailed simulation of the demographic and economic factors that Social Security relies on, and projects their future evolution. Uses the simulation to analyze six social security reform packages (two liberal, two centrist, two conservative) to assess the extent to which each of them can restore the program’s financial health and to identify which groups would be helped or hurt in the process.

(SOCIAL SECURITY ALTERNATIVES)

On the effectiveness of federal agencies protecting the public against bacteria-infested food, harmful drugs, toxic pollution, crumbling bridges, and unsafe toys. “The agencies that shoulder these responsibilities are in shambles.” Explores their regulatory failure and underlying causes: funding cuts, a breakdown of the legislative process, increased number of political appointees, concurrent loss of experienced personnel, chaotic executive oversight, and ceaseless political attacks on the bureaucracy. Proposes a new model for measuring success of the agencies and revitalizing the public service.

(GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN SHAMBLES * PROTECTING HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENT)

Author of many books on humanism (e.g., Humanist Manifesto II) argues that secular morality should be the cornerstone of an open democratic society. Secularism upholds that the state should not impose a religious creed on its citizens and that it should respect freedom of conscience —as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Multi-secularism conveys that secularism takes different forms in different societies, where it continues to support democratic virtues: toleration of dissent, alternative life-styles, and willingness to negotiate differences.

(MULTI SECULARISM * HUMANISM * SECULARISM AND DEMOCRACY * DEMOCRACY AND SECULARISM)

Assesses New Labour policies from 1997-2009. In contrast to European counterparts, Labour pursued right-wing economic policies based on light financial regulation, illiberal social policies, massive surveillance, and a strong bureaucracy – that proved most unpopular with the British people.

(NEW LABOUR POLICIES IN U.K. * GREAT BRITAIN NEW LABOUR POLICIES)

Claims that America is no longer a democracy, but a political hybrid where economic and state powers are conjoined and virtually unbridled —an “inverted totalitarianism”. A new preface describes how the Obama administration, despite promises of change, has left intact the underlying dynamics of “managed democracy”. (cloth 2008).

(DEMOCRACY * MANAGED * U.S.)

Rebukes the conservative claim that the best government is a small government; on the contrary, the US government must become “engaged” i.e. reject free market orthodoxy, adopt ambitious government-centered programs, increase government investment, pursue higher taxes, and wisely regulate corporate conduct. Adds a new preface. (cloth 2008).

(GOVERNMENT IN U.S. * BIG GOVERNMENT NEEDED IN U.S.)