The National Academy of Public Administration

Current Projects
National Marine Fisheries Service Follow-up Study

Client/Funder:
National Marine Fisheries Service (posted: 8/26/2004)

In July 2002, the National Academy of Public Administration (Academy) issued a report entitled Courts, Congress and Constituencies: Managing Fisheries by Default. The report contained 44 recommendations aimed at making incremental improvements to the existing fisheries management system, as well as 12 recommendations for improving fisheries science from a companion study by the National Academy of Sciences. This year's follow-up work will provide both NMFS management and the Congress with a documented overview of the actions that have been taken on the recommendations and what steps are still needed to accomplish full implementation. It will also provide an opportunity to examine any changed circumstances that might impact on either the desirability of or approach to implementing certain recommendations, and consider alternatives.

Center:

Academy Studies

Project Director:

Ruth Ann Heck

Project Status:

Ongoing

For further information, contact Marty Ditmeyer at (202) 347-3190, or at MDitmeyer@napawash.org.

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Board of Directors Meeting
May 31-June 3, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada

Academy Calendar

Academy Fellow Tackles
the Ethics of Dissent

Guerrillas in government are all around us, writes Academy Fellow Rosemary O’Leary in her new book, “The Ethics of Dissent: Managing Guerrilla Government.” The term “guerrilla government” describes career public servants who work against the wishes of their superiors which, O’Leary states, happens more than we may realize in government’s bureaucracy.

O’Leary says guerrillas often choose to remain “in the closet,” moving clandestinely behind the scenes, such as “Deep Throat” or the DMV clerk who deliberately slows the processing of a driver’s license application. Guerrilla dissent is carried out by those who are dissatisfied with the actions of public organizations, programs—or by people who choose not to go public with their concerns.

Ultimately, O’Leary found in her research that public servants and managers could benefit from addressing guerrilla activity. She says they should carefully listen to the creative ideas of these dissenters, even encourage debate, so that constructive changes in the system can be made.

Buy “The Ethics of Dissent: Managing Guerrilla Government”.