The Palgrave Handbook of the Public Servant

The Introduction describes the rationale for, and significance of, this Handbook. It is the first of its kind, appearing at a time when public servants are experiencing unprecedented challenges and when the idea of what it is to be a public servant is increasingly varied. It explores the nature and scope of “public servants” in operation in different governmental and country contexts. It describes the key lines of discussion and debate surrounding the identities and purposes of public servants, and how these have framed the approach to the Handbook. Finally, it summarizes the structure of the Handbook, its parts, and chapters.