To our associates whose contributions appear in this Handbook, we offer our sincere thanks. Their scholarly contributions and cooperation, which in some cases involved extensively reorganizing and rewriting chapters in response to our editorial suggestions, helped to produce a high-quality, integrated book.

We also thank the following: Tony Bertelli, Professor of Public Policy, Politics, and Law, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, and Senior Executive Editor, Journal of Public Policy, Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, New York University; Zhiyong Lan, Professor, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University and Professor and Associate Dean, Renmin University; John Mathiason, Lecturer, Cornell Institute for Public Affairs, Cornell University; Prof Edoardo Ongaro, President, European Group for Public Administration, Editor (incoming), Public Policy and Administration, Director, Northumbria University Research Centre on International Public Policy and Management, and Professor of International Public Services Management, Northumbria University; Margaret Stout, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, West Virginia University. All offered comments and suggestions on our book plan as we embarked on preparing this third edition. We hope they see the fruits of their labors here.

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs provided generous support. Elise Boruvka and Gordon Abner diligently tended to many project details and helped to keep everything on track.

To our wives, Wendy and Flori, we express deep appreciation for their flexibility, support, and love.

Bloomington, Indiana
Athens, Georgia

James Perry,
Robert Christensen,
June 2014