Public administration test 1

a) Define public administration.

The implementation of government policies that includes or encompasses management of public sectors to deliver services to citizens like healthcare, education, security

Describe the scope of Pubic Administration.

• Narrow view: Activities of the executive branch only

• POSDCORB view: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, Budgeting

• Prevailing view: Includes education, health, security, infrastructure, welfare, justice

What are the functions of public administration?

• Implement government policies

• Maintain law and order

• Provide public services

• Manage public resources

• Promote development

• Collect taxes

• Ensure public welfare

i. Traditional model

• Key idea: Focuses on government as a formal, rule-based system.

• Features:

  • Strong hierarchy and chain of command.

  • Clear rules and procedures.

  • Emphasis on stability and order.

• Purpose: Ensures predictable and organized administration.

• Example: Early civil service systems where officials strictly follow set procedures.

ii. Bureaucratic model

• Key idea: Developed by Max Weber; focuses on formal structures and efficiency.

• Features:

  • Authority flows from top to bottom (hierarchy).

  • Division of labor with specialization.

  • Decisions are impersonal and based on rules, not personal preference.

  • Record-keeping and formal documentation are essential.

• Purpose: Ensures efficiency, consistency, and fairness in public administration.

• Example: Modern government offices where policies are applied consistently to everyone.

iii. Managerial model

• Key idea: Focuses on results, efficiency, and effectiveness, like in business management.

• Features:

  • Emphasis on planning, coordination, and controlling resources.

  • Performance measurement and accountability.

  • Decision-making based on outcomes rather than strict rules.

• Purpose: To make public administration more responsive and goal-oriented.

• Example: A local government measuring the success of a new waste management program based on results.

iv. Human relations model

• ey idea: Focuses on people, motivation, and relationships rather than just rules.

• Features:

  • Emphasizes employee morale and satisfaction.

  • Leadership considers human needs and communication.

  • Teamwork and cooperation are encouraged.

• Purpose: Believes happy, motivated employees are more productive.

• Example: Public offices encouraging employee engagement programs and open communication.

Present the life story of all the developers of Public Administrative theories.

Woodrow Wilson

• Born: 1856, USA

• Wrote "The Study of Administration" (1887)

• Considered the Father of Public Administration

Max Weber

• Born: 1864, Germany

• Developed Bureaucratic Theory

• Advocated rational-legal authority

Frederick Taylor

• Born: 1856, USA

• Developed Scientific Management

• Focused on efficiency

Henri Fayol

• Born: 1841, France

• Developed principles of management

Elton Mayo

• Born: 1880, Australia

• Hawthorne Studies

• Emphasized employee welfare

State

Political and legal entity with the power to make and enforced laws within a territory

• It has sovereignty meaning it has power to make its own laws without outside interference

Elements of state

Population- group of people living in a state

Territory- geographical area over which states laws apply

Government- political system to manage population

Sovereignty- supreme power to act independently without outside interference

legislation- system of laws governing society

Government

Organzation or institution through which the state exercises its authority and manages public affairs

Territory

Geographical area over which states laws apply. The state cannot exist without it.

5. What is the incorrect alternative about the state and why?

a). It is the organization necessary for the exercise of power that leaves it up to the population to comply with rules, without the use of military force, which establishes common sense rules as a condition for social coexistence;

cause

The state does not rely only on voluntary compliance; it possesses legitimate coercive power and may use force when necessary.

Form of government described by Aristotle

• The pure forms of government which are there to serve the common good include:

  • Monarchy- a form of government ruled by one person and the ruler governance in the interest of all citizens

  • Aristocracy- which is ruled by a few elite or educated individuals and a government for the benefit of society

  • Democracy- which is ruled by many and the government works for the general welfare

• The impure forms of government, which are bad forms of government that serve self interest of the rulers which include:

  • Tyranny- which is corruption of the monarchy it is ruled by one person and it's aimed at the personal gain of the ruler

  • Oligarchy- which is corruption of aristocracy it is bad government done by a few and it's aimed that the self interest of the dominant group

  • Demagoguery- which is corruption of democracy it is aimed at the particular interest of the major group leaders without caring about other others

Type of government described by Machiavelli

1. Principalities:

Kingdom or monarchy is characterized by heredity and lifetime responsibility and impersonality of functions of monarch

• one person (the prince) rules, and power may be acquired through heredity or conquest.

2. Republic:

Aristocracy and democracy. It is characterised by the periodic electivity of head of state

• power is held by the people or a group of citizens, rather than a single ruler.

Type of government described by montesquieu

Monarchy- based on principle of honour

• king or queen

• Citizens obey because of respect and loyalty to the ruler

Republic- based on virtue

• Citizens obey because of civic duty and moral values

Despotism- based on fear

• The exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and aggressive way. Citizens obey out of fear of punishment

Where did the idea of division of power come from?

The idea originated from philosophers such as Aristotle and John Locke but was fully developed by Montesquieu.

Theory of Three Powers

Legislative- Makes laws.

Executive- Implements laws.

Judiciary- Interprets laws and administers justice.

Aristotle's Classification ordering from the best to the worst form of government.

b) Monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, demagoguery, oligarchy and tyranny;

According to Montesquieu, a French philosopher, there are three forms of government, what are they?

c) Monarchy, republic and despotism;

10. What is the main difference between presidential and parliamentary systems?

b) In the presidential system the head of state also accumulates the function of head of government

in the parliamentary system the head of state assumes this role and indicates the head of government who must have the approval of parliament to govern;

11. Regarding the division of powers, who was the author who defended the tripartition of State powers into the legislative, executive and judiciary, as we know it today?

Correct Answer: (e)

Montesquieu in The Spirit of the Laws.

12. What are the main functions of the legislature?

b; Create laws and supervise the actions of the executive power;

13. What is a public policy?

a government action, decision, or program designed to solve public problems and achieve societal goals.

14. Explain the difference between public policy and public administration.

public admin- The implementation of government policies that includes or encompasses management of public sectors to deliver services to citizens like healthcare, education, security

public policy-Decisions, plans and actions taken by the government to address issues affecting the public or achieve societal plans. Essentially, what is done.

15. Identify the main stages of the public policy cycle.

1. Problem identification- recognising an issue in the government

2. Policy formulation- experts, and officials develop solutions

3. Decision making-government approves a policy

4. Policy implementation-the policy chosen is put into action

5. Evaluation- checking how effective the policy is

17. Why is policy evaluation important in government?

• Measures effectiveness

• Identifies weaknesses

• Improves future policies

• Ensures accountability

19. Discuss the role of government institutions in the formulation of public policies.

• Identify public needs

• Formulate policies

• Allocate resources

• Implement programs

• Monitor outcomes

20. Identify the main actors involved in public policy making.

• President

• parliament

• bureaucratic agencies

• NGOs and corporations

21. What are public sector reforms?

Changes made to improve how the government works ( in terms of structure and process), delivers services and manages resources. Essentially, how to do.

They make the public sector more efficient, transparent and effective

22. Why do governments implement administrative reforms?

in order to

• Increase efficiency

• Reduce waste

• Improve accountability

• Modernize institutions

23. What are the objectives of public administration reforms?

provide

• Better services

• Transparency

• Efficiency

• Responsiveness

• Good governance

24. Discuss the importance of public sector reforms in improving government performance.

• Improve performance

• Increase citizen satisfaction

• Enhance accountability

• Promote development

25. Explain how reforms can improve efficiency and accountability in public administration.

• Simplifying procedures

• Using technology

• Strengthening oversight

• Improving performance management

Types and focus of public reforms

• Administrative reform- focuses on improving how government institutions work

• Economic reforms- focus on strengthening the economy

• Political reform- focus on government and democracy

• Public sector reform- focuses on overall improvement of government performance

Public reform process

1. Problem identification- identifying the problem within the government

2. reform formulation- reforms are designed or designed solutions

3. Decision making/approval- the government decide on a reform and approve it

4. Implementation- the reform is put into action it also involves allocating resources

5. Monitoring- progress of the reform is tracked

6. Evaluation- assess the impact of the reform

7. Adjustment and feedback- based on an evaluation reform can be improved or cancelled or expanded

Challenges in public reforms

• Resistance to change- it may be opposed by the public

• Limited resources- the government might have limited finance, lack of skilled workers and limited technology

• Corruption- corrupt leaders in the government may hinder or block them from occurring

• Lack of political will- government leaders might not even care to bring any changes

• Poor planning and design- might be unrealistic or poorly researched causing it to fail

26. Which concept is commonly associated with modern public sector reforms?

New Public Management (NPM)

27. What is a formal organization?

A structured organization with clearly defined roles, authority, and rules.

28. Define the principle of hierarchy.

there must be a clear line of authority from top to bottom. Structure helps employees know who they report to and who is responsible for decision-making.

29. What is meant by division of labour in organizations?

breaks down tasks into a smaller specialized activities are assigned to different workers. Each worker focuses on specific tasks which increase efficiency, productivity and skill development.

30. Explain the main principles of formal organization in public administration.

Hierarchy/scalar principle- there must be a clear line of authority from top to bottom. Structure helps employees know who they report to and who is responsible for decision-making.

Unity of command- no one in organisation should report to more than one line supervisor. They should know who to report to and who reports to them.

Span of control- there is a limited number of positions that can be coordinated by single executive. A wide span of control means manager supervisors, many employees which can increase efficiency but can reduce close supervision. narrow span of control means manager supervises fewer employees allowing better guidance and control.

Division of labour and specialization- breaks down tasks into a smaller specialised activities are assigned to different workers. Each worker focuses on specific tasks which increase efficiency, productivity and skill development.

31. Discuss the importance of authority and responsibility in formal organizations.

Authority allows decision-making

responsibility ensures accountability.

32. Which principle states that each employee should receive orders from only one superior?

Unity of Command

33. What is the principle that divides tasks among workers to improve efficiency

Division of Labor

34. What is a form of government?

The way political power is organized and exercised within a state.

35. Identify three main forms of government.

• Monarchy

• Republic

• Despotism

36. What is the difference between presidential and parliamentary systems?

Presidential: President is both Head of State and Government.

Parliamentary: Prime Minister heads government; Head of State is separate.

37. Explain the characteristics of the presidential system of government.

• Separation of powers

• Fixed term

• President elected by people

• President is Head of State and Government

38. Compare parliamentary and presidential systems.

Parliamentary	Presidential
Prime Minister leads government	President leads government
Executive accountable to Parliament	Separate executive
Government may fall through vote of no confidence	Fixed term

39. Which system of government is characterized by a prime minister responsible to parliament?

Parliamentary System