Authority and Democracy: A General Theory of Government and Management

Description

Should the democratic exercise of authority that we take for granted in the realm of government be extended to the managerial sphere? Exploring this question, Christopher McMahon develops a theory of government and management as two components of an integrated system of social authority that is essentially political in nature. He then considers whe

"[This] book sets out on a journey to determine the appropriate exercise of democratic authority in government in the private sector. While the journey is challenging, the book reaches the destination."--Jack H. Knott, Political Science Quarterly "Authority and Democracy is a tightly argued book. McMahon seeks to differentiate among three types of authority in private and public organizations: authority based on expertise, authority derived from promises, and authority developed as a result of engaging in a cooperative enterprise... this book draws important linkages among the writings on democracy, management theory, and employee self-ownership."--Choice