Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
As such, it is a prevailing consensus that both comprised of related subjects to ensure concise
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
debates the
limit, in as
duties but to
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
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
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
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
He argued that PA has close ties to sociology though in the focus seemed geared toward
history, PA
interrelating
courses
history
and
political
science.
(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,
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
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
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
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
Thus,
both
should for
demonstrate plans
strong that
skills, forecast
specifically,
effective
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
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