Apr 27
Tom Stevenson reviews Superstates in the May 4, 2023 issue of the London Review of Books. “Empires are supposed to be a thing of the past, yet in some ways the empires we knew are still with us. The largest states in the world have the scale of empires but, Roberts suggests, they are a new breed . . . Roberts is sceptical that his four superstates will all exist in their present form in a hundred years’ time.” Read the review.
On April 5, 2023, I participated in the ASPA SICA Ferrel Heady roundtable on the “future of comparative public administration.” More information, and watch the roundtable here.
Professor Jonathan Boston reviews Superstates in International Review of Public Administration: “Superstates is engaging, lucid, judicious, well documented, and highly accessible. For those interested in, or troubled by, the abiding dilemmas of contemporary government and governing, whether as researchers, students, and practitioners, Superstates will serve as an invaluable resource. Not only does it provide authoritative empirical analyses, but it also offers discerning ethical counsel and practical wisdom. While readers may not agree with all the author’s arguments, they are bound to find his discussion elegant, shrewd, provocative, and insightful.” Read the review.
I will give the valedictory address for the Conference on Public Policy Research organized by the Delhi School of Public Policy and Governance on March 15.
The American Association of Geographers has put Superstates on its quarterly list of recommended reading.
And also on the Spring reading list from Battleground.
I spoke with Professor Colin Talbot about my new book Superstates. Listen here.
On January 20, I participated in a discussion about governance paradigms and public sector innovation hosted by the Canada School of Public Service. Watch the discussion here.
On March 21, I will participate in a presidential panel at the annual conference of the American Society for Public Administration: “Promoting Human Rights and Academic Freedom Internationally: What Should ASPA Do?” Details here. Powerpoint for our presentation here.
On March 10, I will moderate a panel discussion on adaptability in government, featuring panelists Jennifer Ditchburn of the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Yamini Aiyar of the Centre for Policy Research, and Geoff Mulgan of University College London. It is part of the Canada School of Public Service’s Government of the Future series. More details here. Watch on YouTube here.
The ASPA President’s Committee on International Scholarly Engagement, which I co-chaired, has completed its final report. The report has been endorsed by the ASPA National Council and the Public Administration Committee of the UK Joint University Council. More details here.
Alasdair S. Roberts 
