REFORM PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN FRANCE: HISTORY OF A REFORM BEYOND (OR OUTSIDE) THE NPM

RÉFORMER L'ADMINISTRATION PUBLIQUE EN FRANCE: HISTOIRE D’UNE RÉFORME AU-DELÀ (OU EN DEHORS) DU NPM

Michel Casteigts ()
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Michel Casteigts: CREG - Centre de recherche et d'études en gestion - UPPA - Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour

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Abstract: The first observation which is in order, when we carry out a study on the long period of state reform in France, is that it has gradually become an ordinary method of government. There is a fundamental paradox here. In any organization, the concept of reform refers to a temporary process of transition from an old situation to a new situation. It must therefore be a momentary and exceptional phenomenon. Nothing like this in the case of the French state: the reform is permanent and is part of the routine of government action. Over time, the concept of state reform has covered extremely heterogeneous objectives and content, but the rhetoric has remained remarkably constant. Throughout this process, neither the response to social demand nor management concerns have been the real objectives of the reform. If the territorial question has been a constant thread, the real engine of the reform has been the play of power relations within the system of public actors. Under these conditions, the reform of the State did not attract the support of either the officials or the public. The real challenge for the coming years is to overcome this fundamental obsolescence of reform strategies.

Keywords: state reform; public administration; New Public Management; public policies; réforme de l’État; administration publique; politiques publiques (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02510966v1
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Published in Beck J. et F. Larrat (dir.). Reform von Staat und Verwaltung in Europa - Jenseits von New Public Management ? / Réforme de l’État et de l'administration en Europe - Au-delà de la Nouvelle Gestion Publique ?, Dike Verlag et Nomos Verlag, 2011

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