Geert Bouckaert is professor emeritus at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. He is past-president of the European Group for Public Administration, and of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences. Geert Bouckaert is professor at KU Leuven and Chair of the Committee for Contemporary Art.Geert Bouckaert is professor emeritus at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. He is past-president of the European Group for Public Administration, and of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences. Geert Bouckaert is professor at KU Leuven and Chair of the Committee for Contemporary Art.Annie Hondeghem is professor and former director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She co-ordinates the Policy Research Centre on Governance Innovation, commissioned by the Flemish government. Annie Hondeghem is professor and former director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She co-ordinates the Policy Research Centre on Governance Innovation, commissioned by the Flemish government. Trui Steen is professor in public governance and co-production of public services and director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She publishes on public sector innovation and co-creation of public services. Trui Steen is professor in public governance and co-production of public services and director of the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. She publishes on public sector innovation and co-creation of public services. Steven Van de Walle is professor in public management at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. Prior to joining KU Leuven, he held the chair of Public Management at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Steven Van de Walle is professor in public management at the KU Leuven Public Governance Institute. Prior to joining KU Leuven, he held the chair of Public Management at Erasmus University Rotterdam. María José Canel is Professor of political and public sector communication at the Complutense University of Madrid, specialising in trust, legitimacy and communication in public institutions. Jeroen Maesschalck is Professor of Criminology and Police Studies at KU Leuven.

The book is a brilliant and forward-thinking examination of public sector evolution. The editors bring together a range of expert voices to thoughtfully argue how complex socio-political, technological, and economic shifts necessitate innovative transformations within the public sector. The book not only synthesizes current knowledge but also advances new avenues for future research, making it an indispensable reference for anyone dedicated to understanding and improving the public sector's role in society. - Sabine Kuhlmann, Universität Potsdam

• Preface by Annie Hondeghem and Trui SteenINTRODUCTIONLooking at futures for the public sector by Geert BouckaertPART 1: FUTURES OF THE POLITICOADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMStrategies for democratic public administration in an era of populism by Michael W. Bauer The trend towards fragility in the 21st century by Alasdair Roberts Undermining the administrative state: The case of the United States by Donald Moynihan Shifting power structures in the US : The rolling back of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies by Norma M. Riccucci PART 2: FUTURES OF CONTAINING CRISES AND DISRUPTIONAre poly-crises the new normal? Challenges for public administration in liberal-democratic states by Brian W. Head The rise of hybridity in the new ‘normalcy’ of crises by Tiina Randma-Liiv and Steven NõmmikThe future role of government in cybersecurity by Greta Nasi The dawn of disruptive technology-driven future government by M. Jae Moon, Seulgi Lee, Seungkyu Park, and Ire Park The digital transformation as a double governance challenge by Albert Meijer PART 3: FUTURES OF CITIZEN-STATE INTERACTIONSThe rise of sceptical citizens about public administration communication by María José Canel Politicisation and populism: The future of the frontline of public services by Gabriela Lotta PART 4: FUTURES OF ADMINISTRATING THE STATEThe transformation of the regulatory state? by Martin Lodge Why we need more public value by Sandra Van Thiel Ecosystems: the word that would be king? by Adina Dudau PART 5: FUTURES OF MANAGING THE CIVIL SERVICEShifting dynamics of advice : Non-state experts and private sector consultancies in public policy by Rosie Collington Flexibilisation of work and the future of public sector employment by Adrian Ritz, Guillem Ripoll, and Lorenza Micacchi The future of bureaucratic merit by Marina Nistotskaya The functional politicisation of the merit civil service : From responsive to subservient bureaucracy? by Tobias Bach The disappearance of lower-grade bureaucrats by Steven Van de Walle PART 6: FUTURES OF STUDYING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONUsing Public Administration research to strengthen ‘futures thinking’ in the public sector by Jeroen Maesschalck The future of a scattered field: Challenges and opportunities by Asmus Leth Olsen The rise of open science and public access : Implications for Public Administration research by Mary K. Feeney CONCLUSIONWhich futures for the public sector? by Geert Bouckaert List of contributors