NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT AND WHAT COMES AFTER

In the last decade the main issue of the international discipline of public administration was the so called New Public Management. The most important elements and goals of this trend unfolded not only in journals but almost in every public administration modernisation programme of advanced countries. Also, there were attempts to implement its methods and principles. Simultaneously with the appearance of New Public Management, many articulated their complaints against the trend, but this could not influence its spread. Today the matter is ripe for evaluation, especially following the recent economic crisis the time has come to evaluate the effects, consequences, results and setbacks of New Public Management. In order to do this, it is not only necessary to introduce the development of this discipline and to describe its aims and methods, but also to explain its criticism and experiences as well as the reasons why New Public Management was unable to reshape national public administration in line with the original ideas.