Topic 1: The Development of the Discipline of Public Administration

Embryonic Stage

The initial phase of Public Administration focused on the government's role in ensuring safety and security, influenced by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.

Civil Servant Expertise

Early civil servants needed knowledge in administration and military structures to effectively serve the state.

Cameralism

A 17th-century concept linking a nation's economic power to its wealth, merging with natural law to emphasize moral standards.

Woodrow Wilson's Influence

His 1887 article distinguished public administration from politics, advocating for democratic principles, though the separation proved challenging.

POSDCORB

An acronym introduced by Gulick and Urwick outlining essential administrative functions:Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting.

Henri Fayol's Principles

Fayol proposed 14 organizational principles in 1930 that influenced the structure of public administration.

Bureaucratic Stage

Post-World War II, the state's role expanded to include economic involvement and welfare services, complicating service delivery.

Cultural Influences in Africa

The independence of African nations revealed how indigenous factors shaped public administration, with South Africa retaining British practices post-1994.

Historical Context

Understanding public administration in South Africa requires recognizing the colonial influences that shaped governance frameworks.

Administration or Management Era

This era significantly impacted Public Administration, driven by societal service needs and technological advancements.

Efficiency vs

Public management emphasizes serving the public good, contrasting with the private sector's profit-driven focus.

Broadening the Discipline

Management theories and practices became essential for operationalizing administrative frameworks in Public Administration.

New Public Administration Initiative (NPAI)

A 1990s initiative aimed at redefining the public sector's operational scope and emphasizing a value-oriented approach.

New Public Management (NPM)

Originating in the 1980s, NPM aimed to make public service more business-like, focusing on outcomes over bureaucratic processes.

Core Components of NPM

Principles include hands-on management, performance measurement, output control, and efficient resource use.

Emergence of Governance

Governance reflects a shift from government as the sole service provider to a model involving community participation.

Network Government

A collaborative approach among stakeholders enhances the execution of public laws in governance.

Horizontal Governance

Emphasizes collaboration over top-down approaches, reflecting changing societal needs.

New Social Contract

Establishes an administrative framework recognizing service recipients as partners in decision-making.

Cooperative Actions

Governance involves collaboration between the state and society to deliver public services effectively.