Future-proofing public management

Abstract

Taking a forward-looking perspective, I present eight pressure points on public management, concerning learning, science, populism, citizens, design, humility, guidance vs. practice, and problem vs. mystery. To deal effectively with these points, we need a map of core skills and values organised around the conceptual framework of capacity. By distinguishing ‘capacity to do what’ and ‘capacity for what purposes’, I draw some implications for training the public managers of resilient societies.