What is the introduction of Public Administration? || Public Administration Notes Sindh University

 

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Public Administration is the complex of Governmental activities that are undertaken in public interest at different levels such as the central, state and local level. It essentially deals with the, machinery and procedures of Government activities.

“It is a detailed and systematic application of law.” Woodrow Wilson

“To carry out the directives of the politicians” Herbert Simson

“It includes all three branches” Prof Pfiffner

SCOPE

• Deference of Opinion on definition due to vastness

Scope as a discipline

1. Managerial View

a. Public administration is made up of managerial skills

b. Henri Fayol (5 functions – POCSC - Planning; Organizing; Coordination; Staffing; Communication)

c. Management of 3 Ms

d. Luther Gulick (POSDCORB - Planning; Organizing; Staffing; Directing; Coordination and Communication; Reporting; Budgeting)

2. Subject Matter View

a. POSDCORB is criticized; it overlooks other things

b. Many other fields – law and order, health, education

c. Public Ad is an instrument having two blades – POSDCORB and Subject matter

d. Administrative Theory (Walker)

i. Study of structure, organization, functions and problems of public authority

e. Applied Administration

i. Political

ii. Judicial

iii. Economic

iv. ……

3. Scope varies as per expectations (public) and declarations (state); all state activities

SCIENCE or ART

“Science is investigation and observation, followed by tabulation, classification and analysis.”

• Scientific theory (FW Taylor)

• POSDCORB

• It is a body of systematized knowledge derived from observation and experience

• Scientific method of study is applicable

• More and more accurate predictions

• If it is not science today, will be tomorrow

As an Art

• Running the administration

• Act of doing things

IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• As a specialized subject of Study

o Governmental problems

o In social perspectives, impact of gov’t policies

o Used in developing countries

o Teachings in colleges

• As an practice

o Public development

o Visible face of the government (W.W)

• Basis of government

• Instrument of providing services

• Instrument of implementing policies

• A stabilizing force in the society

Democratic Values

• Liberty

• Individualism

• Equality

Another View

• Constitutional Supremacy

• Rule of Law

• Representative Government