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The gist of the Wilsons argument in his essay, The Study of Administration, published in the Political Science Quarterly

in 1887, is an assertion that politics and administration are separate disciplines. (Henry, 2004). Subsequently, scholarly

interpretations of his position have led to the evolution of the theory and practice of public administration. Specifically, one

justification for necessitated separation is that the focus of political science primarily relates to politics and government, whereas studying public and administration solely relates to managing,

administering

public

agencies/entities/programs.

Even so, the two disciplines (and, at times, so does business field) have a concise interconnectivity within their given

professions. majors are

As such, it is a prevailing consensus that both comprised of related subjects to ensure concise

understandings to their interfacing relationships.

Concisely, states that

the

politics/administration of public

dichotomy and

theory public

the

disciplines

science

administration are mutually exclusive. continuous necessity performed overlap, intellectual, to align, to academic a

To assert this claim, are made for the

debates the

limit, in as

disciplines professions academic

because routinely programs.

duties but to

performed keep them

related

separate

Specifically, scholars argue that public administrators greatly benefit policy. actors public from scientific training in courses, such as public

By doing so, there is creation of a linkage between (public officials and public administrators) a relationship and the

organizations/agencies/programs:

between

democracy and bureaucracy. effectively equipped with

Thus, the public administrator is knowledge of the political aspects

that may influence decision-making processes and the structure of the agencies or programs that he or she administers.

During the period of the 1920s and 1930s, the idea of the study of public administration as an autonomous discipline made great stride. During this time, public administrators reached its reputational zenith and both the government and private sector skills. showed strong interest in their effective managerial

(Henry, 2004, p. 32).

Even supporters of separating

political science indirectly contributed through their efforts to break away to positions of public administrationists.

Associations, such as the APSA, also played important roles in framing the discipline association of public the administration. split and Thus,

professional

forged

encouraged

specializations.

The the

diminishing of

of

politics/administration theories

dichotomy from

and the

principles in

administration of

resulted

change

positions

prominent

theorists,

representing

viewpoints to the contrary. indeed, public

The new positions asserted that, and politics overlap. The

administration

recasting and rethinking initiatives led to the rebirth of the coexistence of the two disciplines. repositioned the principle of Influential scholars also concept. Their

administration

focus was on the necessity of the presence of a narrow span of control to ensure effectiveness. (Henry, 2004, p. 35). Thus,

such texts, articles, reviews, and theoretical debates brought forth oblivious evidence of reconsideration of the relationship between the two disciplines.

The argued

first that

paradigm

stems from the Wilsons theory. should is give getting great harder weight to run

He to a The of

governments because it

administration

constitution than to frame one. (Henry, 2004, p. 30). second paradigm merged from Willoughbys Principles

Administration. rather than

He argued that PA has close ties to sociology though in the focus seemed geared toward

history, PA

interrelating

courses

history

and

political

science.

Specifically, the focus in the field should be redirected on

what as oppose to the where.

(Henry, 2004).

The third

paradigm covers a period when political scientists attempted to reestablish a linkage between PA and political science.

However, the initial focus was undermined by motives to suppress PA and uplift 2004). political The science as an elite discipline. PA with

(Henry,

fourth

paradigm

correlates

management. Like the second paradigm, management provide[d] a focus but not a locus. sends the resounding The substance of the fifth paradigm that public administrations

message

secession from the fields of political science and management is real. (Henry, 2004, p. 48). With the creation of this NASPPA,

public administration continues to be recognized, even today, as separate discipline.

6.

What were the forces of separatism that resulted in public administration emerging as a separate and identifiable field? academic in and professional administration forces of separatism as a that

The resulted

public

emerging

separate

identifiable field were the emergence of science, technology, and public policy, and the power development struggles of the new public pride).

administration,

(practitioner

(Henry, 2004, pp. 45-7). Specifically, the increased focus and acceptance of science, technology and public policy fostered a

relationship

between

the

two

disciplines.

Through

the

new

public administration, the discipline was able to demonstrate its awareness of normative theory, philosophy and activism taking away from the old technical label. Lastly, public

administrationists made efforts to enhance self-awareness made through establishing practitioner pride associations, such as the National Academy of Public Administration. The overall

intent of such associations was to act as resource[s] in the solution of public problems. (Henry, 2004, p. 48).

B. Read the articles by Mordecai Lee, James Svara, and Roger Israel that are included in your Workbook and prepare a one-two page essay on the subject of comparing and contrasting the

various spheres of responsibility and authority of politicians and administrators. Prepare to present your views, opinions, and comments to the other members of the class on the first day of our meeting. Give your personal views on how to be effective and have a long career in such an environment.

The

field

of

public

administration

focuses

on In for

career/appointed executives and front-line administrators. political science field, however, the focus is geared

careers of elected executives, especially presidents, governors, and mayors, senior advisors, and other key policymakers. In

separate articles, Mordercai Lee, James Svara, and Roger Israel, articulate Professional this paper ideas about the Leadership Balance Between Briefly, of the

Administrators and Elected Officials. makes a comparison and contrast

responsibilities and authorities of these positions within these two fields. Responsiveness and accountable. and politicians must be responsive Both public administrators and accountable keep to all and

stakeholders,

i.e.,

politicians

must

citizens

constituents informed and public administrators must ensure that citizens, residents, interested persons, the media, etc., are informed. For this reason, it is prevalent that these actors Both must earn the

understand the expectations of stakeholders.

trust of stakeholders through providing efficient, effective and timely information. Therefore, they often are broached with

justifying actions and decisions to stakeholders. One effective method for ensuring responsiveness is by

allowing all concerned to have a voice. public administrators are likely faced

Unlike politicians, more frequently with

identifying the bread and butter issues and addressing them with sound projections and planning statements. They must show that they can deliver the goods and render the services via budget proposals and executions, grant proposals, bid contracts, etc. discuss On the contrary, politicians, at the opportune time, may topics of interest with their targeted constituents.

However, their visions may be finite, indefinite or may never come to fruition. In short, the public administrator must

focus on the primary needs of the affected persons, whereas the politician may place more emphasis on the wants of his or her constituents. (Israel). Decision-making. Both politicians and public administrators

must strategically set forth clear and measurable objectives.

Thus,

both

should for

demonstrate plans

strong that

analytical project and

skills, forecast

specifically,

effective

probabilities of reaching goals.

They mostly use these skills

for defining issues, target groups, and as an effort to render decisions relating to use and allocation of resources. In decision-making, politics is a zero-sum concept. As

such, politicians may win over supporters by criticizing others. However, doing so. public administrators both take risk on tainting reputations by

Overall,

legitimate,

representational

roles the public administrator as program administrator and the politician in legislative affairs. Normally, however, the

politician faces direct democracy and the public administrator faces participatory democracy. In summary, both politicians and public administrators must ensure responsiveness and accountability. Because the positions

are on different levels of the playing field, that is, public administrators cant fight back, but have overlapping roles, it is vital that politicians and administrators develop

collaborative relations to identify the desired decision-making techniques suitable for the affected persons. (Lee). Thus, an

administrator also plays a subordinate-role to the politician on some occasions. Oftentimes, however, an administrator operates

autonomously, steering clear of policy and politics and simply carry[ing] out the decisions of elected officials. (Svara).

REFERENCES

Henry, N. 2004. Upper Saddle

Public Administration & Public Affairs. 9th ed. River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Pearson

Education, Inc. Israel, R. PA Times Archives September 2002, Vol. 25 No. 9 Lee, M. PA Times Archives September 2002, Vol. 25 No. 9 Svara, J. PA Times Archives September 2002, Vol. 25 No. 9

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