Resisting change . Some critical remarks on contemporary narratives about reform

Abstract

<p>Public Service reform,” as a long-time observer and student of the field recently pointed out, “never goes out of style”. In almost every country, it has been featured prominently on government agendas and the political platforms of the opposition parties competing for attention. Considering the risks, complexities, and costs of most reform agendas, their slow implementation and very mixed results, we may be justified in pondering the frequency, ubiquity and undiminished appeal of public service reform.</p>