Includes bibliographical references (p. [225]-247) and index. Vigoda-Gadot, E. (2009). Building strong nations: improving governability and public management. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate.

Framework of the Book -- Target Readers -- Introduction: Strong Nations, Weak Nations, and the Enigma of Effective Governability -- Part I: The State of Modern Nations and the Rebirth of an Old Paradox -- Chapter 1: Theoretical Approaches to Nation Building -- Chapter 2: Dilemma of Governability under Democratic and Bureaucratic Constraints -- Part II: Caught Between Democracy and Bureaucracy: An Anthology of Empirical Examinations -- Chapter 3: The Power of Bureaucracy: Managerial Quality and Performance -- Chapter 4: The Charm of Democracy: Building on Democratic Values and Good Citizenship -- Chapter 5: Empirical Evidence: A Longitudinal National Study of Bureaucracy and Democracy in Israel -- Part III: Strong Nations and the Reconciliation of the Democratic Bureaucratic Paradox: Several Alternatives -- Chapter 6: Strong Nations and Collaboration in Public Administration: A Myth or Necessity? -- Chapter 7: Strong Nations and Innovation in the Public Sector -- Chapter 8: Strong Nations and Global Reforms in Public Administration: New, Borderless Public Policy -- Chapter 9: Building Strong Nations by Effective Governability in a Democratic Cosmos: Epilogue -- References -- Appendix -- Index

"In the face of global challenges and changes - some may even say because of them - one major dilemma looms large for citizens and leaders worldwide: how can we ensure that our countries address these challenges successfully? This book demonstrates that the answer can be found in a better match between the nature of modern bureaucracy and the spirit of modern democracy, as well as by improving methods and ideas for what the author terms 'cleaver governance' and better governability. Moreover, it suggests potential directions for improving governability and public management against the backdrop of the tension between bureaucracy and democracy that has given rise to increasing mistrust of and lack of confidence in public institutions."Building Strong Nations" enriches the discussion about moving modern nations forward despite major problems such as the clash of ideologies, the overburdening of and expectations from public administration, and the growing instability in world economics and international relations." - From the Book