Editor's Introduction

• Author: Danny L. Balfour
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/puar.12841
• Published date: 01 September 2017
• Date: 01 September 2017

784 Public Administration Review • September | October 2017

Public Administration Review,

Vol. 77, Iss. 5, pp. 784. © 2017 by

The American Society for Public Administration.

DOI: 10.1111/puar.12841.

Book Review

Editor’s

Introduction R obert Agranoff ’ s review of The Chessboard and

the Web highlights the interconnectedness

of the digital age and provides the context

for other works reviewed in this issue. This powerful

metaphor combines the stability represented by pieces

on a chessboard (governments and institutions) with

the fluidity of networks and how to manage both in

a complex environment. Likewise, Kahn ’ s review of

Enhancing Public Innovation by Transforming Public

Governance examines how innovation occurs in and

is necessary for the public sector in a networked,

governance context. Such management is more

likely to succeed when based on valid evidence, and

The Politics of Evidence, reviewed by Sam Larson

(winner of the 2017 Outstanding Student Paper

Award from ASPA ’ s Section on Ethics and Integrity

in Governance) “offers a critical perspective on how

to overcome challenges to evidence-based policy,

which is a highly necessary skillset in our (post-

factual) times.” Kris Mullendore ’ s review of American

Surveillance makes the importance of valid evidence

seem all the more vital when considering the history

of surveillance and the powerful and dangerous

potential for its abuse in the Information Age.

Two more reviews provide insights on South Korea ’ s

experience with e-government and India ’ s efforts to

integrate traditionally marginalized populations into

its public policies. While these topics seem quite

different, they both describe efforts to govern more

effectively and equitably in a rapidly changing and

complex environment.

Danny L. Balfour

Grand Valley State University