In this article, the aim is to explore some of the key themes to emerge in the journal during the past two decades. Each selected theme will be reviewed in the light of issues raised in particular papers. The aim of this approach is, first, to facilitate reflection upon the contribution of the journal as its subject matter has moved from a concern with British public administration to something more international in its scope and, second, to encourage critical attention to the current state and future direction of the discipline of public administration itself. The identification of cross-cutting themes enables the reader to dig a little deeper and draw his/her own conclusions about where the journal has made its distinctive contribution.