The Napoleonic tradition

Abstract

Purpose

This paper intends to provide a framework for understanding the concept of administrative tradition, and then applies it to Napoleonic administrative systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis involves the creation of a number of dimensions that can be used to analyze traditions, and the paper demonstrates the range of application of the dimensions.

Findings

Provides findings from a number of studies of public administration.

Originality/value

This framework is applied primarily to industrialized democracies in this paper but can be used across the full range of administrative systems, and is a significant augmentation of existing frameworks for comparative analysis.

Citation

Guy Peters, B. (2008), "The Napoleonic tradition", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 118-132. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550810855627