Introduction

Abstract

A nonpartisan public service is a priceless asset in American governance. The articles in this issue provide insight into contemporary civil service reform. How the debate is finally resolved will affect the integrity of democracy in the years ahead.

Keywords:

• civil service reform
• merit system
• public service
• at-will employment

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people contributed to this issue. First, of course, gratitude is extended to the authors who educated us with their thoughtful articles. They have produced a work representative of contemporary thinking on this essential topic. Their readiness to revise and resubmit their initial manuscripts attest to their respect for the subject matter and their skill in mastering it. The task was facilitated by the thorough, insightful, and prompt reviews of draft papers by the referees who included contributors as well as Douglas Goodman (Mississippi State University), George Sulzner (University of Massachusetts at Amherst), and Richard Kearney (North Carolina State University).

Notes

4. Parts of this discussion are drawn from Bowman et al. (2003).