Politics

Leading in the public sector inevitably requires the skills to navigate complex political relationships within and among agencies and populations. The teaching cases in this section present real-world examples—from town hall meetings and regulatory dilemmas to disaster cleanup and infrastructure projects—all the while asking students to carefully balance the internal and external considerations necessary for making effective decisions.

  • Classic Case - Fluoridation in Greenfield (A)

    Fluoridation in Greenfield (A)

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1976

    In 1974, the Greenfield, Massachusetts, Board of Health ordered fluoridation of the town's water. This effort was led by pharmacist Joseph R. Charron III, and overruled Greenfield's 1968 referendum, in which the townspeople had voted against...

  • Classic Case - Hunger in America: 1965-1969 (A Chronology of Events)

    Hunger in America: 1965-1969 (A Chronology of Events)

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1976

    In 1967 Senators Robert Kennedy and Joseph Clark focused national attention on hunger in America with their unscheduled and widely publicized tour of black homes in the Mississippi Delta. This case examines existing federal efforts -- as of...

  • Classic Case - Fluoridation in Greenfield (B)

    Fluoridation in Greenfield (B)

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1965

    In 1974, the Greenfield, Massachusetts, Board of Health ordered fluoridation of the town's water. This effort was led by pharmacist Joseph R. Charron III, and overruled Greenfield's 1968 referendum, in which the townspeople had voted against...

  • Classic Case - Hunger in America: 1965-1969

    Hunger in America: 1965-1969

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1975

    In 1967 Senators Robert Kennedy and Joseph Clark focused national attention on hunger in America with their unscheduled and widely publicized tour of black homes in the Mississippi Delta. This case examines existing federal efforts -- as of...

  • Classic Case - John Marttila and Campaign Management

    John Marttila and Campaign Management

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1975

    In 1972, John Marttila, a Boston-based professional campaign consultant, was asked to manage Delaware Democrat Joe Biden's race for a U.S. Senate seat. Biden's campaign was floundering and low on funds. This case recounts the strategies and...

  • Classic Case - John Marttila and Campaign Management (Sequel)

    John Marttila and Campaign Management (Sequel)

    Free

    Publication Date: January 01, 1975

    In 1972, John Marttila, a Boston-based professional campaign consultant, was asked to manage Delaware Democrat Joe Biden's race for a U.S. Senate seat. Biden's campaign was floundering and low on funds. This case recounts the strategies and...