PA - Lecture 1

What is Public Administration in American definition?

• field in which leaders serve communities to advance the common good and effect positive change

• public administration professionals are equipped with skills to manage at all levels of government (local, state, and federal) as well as nonprofit organizations

• skills employed such as project management and program management are often transferrable to the private sector

• WOODROW WILSON: THE FATHER OF AMERICAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION “Administration is the most obvious part of government; it is government in action; it is the executive, the operative, the most visible side of government, and is of course as old as government itself. It is government in action..”

What is Public Administration in British definition?

the performance or management of affairs, it is also used generally for government, and specifically for government or the executive ministry

What is Public Administration in French definition?

the whole of public services, assigned to participate in the execution of the thought of the government, and to apply laws of general interest (…) The government directs (rules), gives an impulse, and administration acts, executes”

What is the meaning of the word administration?

• The word „administration” is so equivocal, there is a core of its diverse meanings

• „Administration” - origin Latin verb ministrare, strengthed by the proposition ad-, meaning „to serve”. Words minister and ministrations also confirm that „servant” aspect of the derivatives of ministrare.

• administration always means a certain service or executive activity; administration is an instrument serving to achieve a goal/ or to execute a will of a superior

What is public administration?

• is an operational instrument in the hands of a political power. It is in a sense, an executive of the executive power.

• can also be qualified as a tension between the necessery exercise of power and the research for responsiveness to achieve maximum accountability from public servants.

• is also „public” in the sense that, in liberal democracy, the only argument for intervention – as the intervention of the state power in the affairs of the state’s subjects (individual as well as their organisations: business and non profit ones alike) is the public good, also called the public interest

• From the functional point of view, public administration can be defined as an operational function, in any state, independently of the epoch and of the form of government. It is not the case of public administration approached in institutional terms.

  As a specific set of authorities and institutions, with mission set up in conformity with the principles of the horizontal and verical division of labour (constituting the division of administrative tasks and competences) and staffed by professional employees – public administration is a relatively new phenomenon.

  Although public administration has been developing since Middle Ages, it was as late as in the Enlightenment period, i.e. in the 18th century, that it appeared in the form comparable to the contemporary ones.

  In many Europeans states, there has been a continuity of administrative history, even the states whose political history witnessed revolutions and breaks (i.e. absolute monarchy – French revolution).

  The contemporary link between public administration and the law consists in the submission of all the executive power, and public administration operating therewithin to the law. The submission is the most important aspect of the „rule of law”, the principle which has been developed in Englan in the Middle Ages, or the „state of law” (Rechtsstaat, then accepted in French under the name of „Etat de droit” or in Polish as „państwo prawne”), the concept intoduced in the Continental Europe, especially in Germany in 19th century as an overt opposition to Polizeistaat. From that point of view, public administration is an instrument of implementation of provisions of the statutes and other sources of law

The scope and nature of public administration

• is the management of men and materials in the accomplishment of the purposes of the state.

• its objective is the most efficient utilization of the resources at the disposal of officials and employees.

• is then the execution of the public business; the goal of administrative activity the most expeditious, economical, and complete achievement of public programs.

While the day-to-day responsibilities of public administrators can vary greatly depending on the type of organization they work for, the common thread among public administrators is most typically a deep commitment to serve their communities and contribute to their overall improvement. The term “public service” is used frequently in the field of public administration, and it is this desire to serve the public good that calls people to become a public administrator

Evolution of Public Administration

5 phases

Phase 1: Politics – Administration Dichotomy (1887-1926)

Phase 2: Principles of Administration (1927-1937

Phase 3: Era of Challenges (1938-1947)

Phase 4: Crisis of identity (1948-1970

Phase 5: Public Policy Perspective (1971 onwards)

Phase 1

Politics Administration Dichotomy (1887-1926)

• was the manifestation of Woodrow Wilson's view of politics - administration dichotomy (difference between two things as they are completely opposite)

• This led to a spurt in the interest of its studies in various American as well as universities around the globe and reforms were made in government and thus scholars were attracted to public administration with a new vigor.

Phase 2

Principles of Administration (1927-1937)

• emphasized the Wilsonian view of public administration and aimed to develop a value-neutral or value free science of management.

• F.W. Taylor and Henri Fayol developed principles of administration, advocating for engineering-based scientific methods to increase efficiency and economy.

• These schools of thought are grouped under the Classical theory of administration.

• Max Weber's conceptual framework of bureaucracy revolutionized public administration by providing a solid theoretical base and focusing on the physiological and mechanistic aspects of public administration.

• This school of thought is also known as the Mechanical theory of organization/administration.

Phase 3

Era of Challenge (1938-1947)

• challenged the mechanistic view of administration and workers

• focused on the human aspects of administration, focusing on the psychological and social problems of industrial workers

• this led to the development of the Behavioral Science theory by Herbert Simon and others.

• Simon's behavioural science school challenged the principles of administration as proverbs based on person-to-person experience and lacking a theoretical foundation.

• He advocated for decision analysis, as decision making is the heart of administration, and analyzing administrative behavior in an organizational setting requires studying the decisions taken by administrators.

Phase 4

Crises of identity (1948-1970)

• set in the late 20th century where many parts of the world were just out of wars and colonisation called the developing nations

• marked a debate for the return of values in Public administration and cross cultural as well as cross national study of administration.

• thus, grew a need to reinvent public administration and lead to a question as to whether public administration that had been known as it is till then was relevant anymore.

Phase 5

Public Policy Perspective (1971 onwards)

• brought about democratic humanism and client orientation as well as the science perspective in “New Public Administration”.

• Public policy is an attempt by a government to address a public issue by instituting laws, regulations, decisions, or actions pertinent to the problem at hand. It is policy that is made for the welfare of the people and their development. As a discipline public policy perspective is the study of government. Here it has come closer to political science again and also has incorporated many management principles to help public administration cope up with the dynamics of its discipline and conduct.

Public Administration as SCIENCE

• Public Administration involves the study of systematic approaches to managing public resources, policies, and programs.

• It relies on data analysis, research, and evidence-based decision-making to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public services.

• Principles of economics, sociology, political science, and other social sciences are applied to understand public behavior and formulate policies.

Public Administration as ART

• Public Administration requires creativity and adaptability to address complex and dynamic societal challenges.

• Decision-making often involves balancing various interests and stakeholders, requiring skillful negotiation and communication.

• Principles of economics, sociology, political science, and other social sciences are applied to understand public behavior and formulate policies.

• Implementation of policies may require innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of different communities. • Leadership and management in public administration involve understanding human behavior and motivations, which are aspects of the "art" of management

Public Administration as ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE

• focuses on the study of government institutions, policies, and management practices

• examines how public organizations function, make decisions, allocate resources, and serve the public interest.

• students studying Public Administration learn about public policy analysis, budgeting, organizational behavior, public law, ethics, and more. It is taught in universities as a subject of study and research, often leading to degrees such as Bachelor's, Master's, and PhDs in Public Administration.

Public Administration as PROFESSION

• Professionals in this field work in various roles within government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and even private sector organizations that interact with the public sector.

• Public administrators are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing public policies and programs.

• They work to ensure efficient and effective delivery of public services, uphold ethical standards, and promote transparency and accountability in government operations

Issues in Public Administrative Theory

• Bureaucracy vs. Efficiency: Balancing efficiency and accountability in bureaucratic systems.

• Democratic Accountability: Navigating the role of unelected administrators in democratic governance.

• Ethics and Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and integrity in public administration.

• Transparency and Openness: Managing transparency while protecting sensitive information.

• Decentralization and Local Governance: Challenges and benefits of empowering local governments.

• Digital Transformation: Embracing technology while addressing privacy and equity concerns.

• Diversity and Representation: Ensuring diversity and representation in administration.

• Resource Constraints: Efficient resource allocation and innovative solutions.

• Complex Policy Issues: Implementing policies on intricate matters effectively.

• Globalization and Interconnectedness: Navigating global trends and collaborative challenges

Issues in Public Administrative Theory pt.2

• Politics and Administration:

  • Addressing the relationship between elected officials and administrative agencies.

  • Balancing political direction with administrative expertise.

  • Ensuring non-partisanship and efficiency in public services.

• Bureaucracy and Democracy:

  • Exploring the tension between bureaucracy's efficiency and democratic accountability.

  • Evaluating the role of bureaucrats in shaping policy decisions.

  • Safeguarding democratic values while preventing bureaucratic overreach.

• Organization and Management:

  • Designing effective organizational structures for public agencies.

  • Enhancing management practices to optimize resource allocation.

  • Promoting innovation and adaptability within public organizations.

Governance and administration

Governance

• refers to the processes, structures, and systems through which authority and decisions are exercised in an organization or a society

• involves the establishment of policies, setting objectives, and making decisions to achieve those objectives

Administration:

• involves the execution and implementation of policies and decisions set by the governing body

• focuses on managing resources, people, and processes to ensure the effective functioning of an organization.

Principles and Practice of Governance and Administration:

Defining the Public Interest

• involves considering the collective well-being and needs of the public when making decisions and policies.

• Examining how decisions and actions should prioritize the well-being of the public.

• Identifying ethical considerations and societal benefits in governance and administration.

• Ensuring policies and actions align with the collective welfare.

The Legal Parameters: Adhering to laws, regulations, and legal frameworks while governing and administering ensures that actions are within legal boundaries.

1. Exploring the legal framework that guides governance and administrative practices.

2. Understanding the role of laws, regulations, and statutes in shaping decision-making.

3. Adhering to legal boundaries to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Transparency and Accountability: Being open about decisions, processes, and actions, and being accountable for those actions, fosters trust and responsibility.

Participation and Pluralism: Involving various stakeholders and diverse perspectives in decision-making promotes inclusivity and effective governance.

Subsidiarity: Decisions and actions should be carried out at the lowest appropriate level of authority, allowing for effective local governance

Efficiency and Effectiveness: Ensuring that resources are used efficiently and actions lead to desired outcomes contributes to effective governance.

Equity and Access to Services: Ensuring fairness and equal access to services and opportunities for all members of society is a key principle.

Ethical Behavior: Upholding ethical standards and integrity in decision-making and administration is essential.

Accountability for Results: Ensuring that decisions and actions lead to positive outcomes and taking responsibility for any shortcomings.

Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and improving governance and administrative processes to adapt to changing needs and challenges.

Socio-Cultural Values and Administrative Norms: This aspect focuses on how the cultural and social values of a society influence the norms and practices within public administration. It explores how cultural factors shape administrative behavior and decision-making

Public Bureaucracy Answerability/Accountability: This involves the responsibility of public bureaucrats to be answerable and accountable for their actions and decisions. It addresses mechanisms and processes through which bureaucrats can be held responsible for their performance and adherence to rules.

Public Administration and Development: This area examines how effective public administration plays a crucial role in the development of a nation. It explores how well-functioning administrative systems contribute to economic, social, and political development by implementing policies, managing resources, and delivering service

Major Aspects of Public Administration

Policy Analysis and Evaluation

• involves the examination and assessment of government policies to determine their effectiveness, feasibility, and impact

• includes analyzing the potential outcomes of various policy options and evaluating their success in achieving desired goals.

Program Planning and Implementation

• focuses on the process of designing and executing government programs and initiatives

• encompasses the development of strategies, allocation of resources, establishment of timelines, and coordination of activities to ensure successful program implementation

Organization: Structure and Process

• involves the design and management of governmental organizations, including their structure, functions, and processes

• encompasses organizing tasks, responsibilities, and hierarchies within government agencies to ensure efficient and effective operations.

Managing the Human Resources

• focuses on the management of the people working in the public sector

• includes processes such as recruitment, training, performance evaluation, employee development, and creating a conducive work environment to ensure that government employees are motivated, skilled, and capable of fulfilling their roles

Public Fiscal Administration

• deals with the management of government finances and resources

• includes budgeting, revenue generation, allocation of funds, financial planning, and monitoring the financial performance of government programs to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability

Local Government Administration

• pertains to the management of government at the local level, such as cities, municipalities, and counties

• involves coordinating local services, infrastructure development, community engagement, and addressing local needs and concerns through effective governance and administration

The Future of Public Administration as a Profession

Alternatives to Bureaucracy

• explores innovative approaches to replace or complement traditional bureaucratic structures in public administration

• examines how new organizational models, such as network governance or collaborative partnerships, can offer more efficient and flexible ways to deliver public services

Future of National and Local Governments

• delves into the changing role and structure of both national and local governments in the face of evolving challenges

• considers how technological advancements, globalization, and shifting power dynamics impact the functions and responsibilities of government entities.

Governments that work better and costs less

• focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations while minimizing costs

• examines strategies for streamlining processes, adopting technology, eliminating inefficiencies, and optimizing resource allocation to improve public service delivery

Public Morality and Private Morality

• delves into the ethical dimensions of public administration

• explores the intersection between the personal moral values of public administrators and the ethical responsibilities they hold in their roles

• also considers how public morality influences decision-making and governance practices in the public sector