INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION


At the end of the lesson, you should be able to

1. Explain the meaning of public administration.

2. Explain the significant association between public administration and the
society.

3. Differentiate between the roles of policy making and policy implementation.

4. Explain the dictum, administration and policy dichotomy

5. Differentiate between private and public administration

6. Explain the roles of public administration

This lesson complies with the following course
outcome:

CO 1: To provide an understanding and
appreciation of the challenges of public
administration in a representative democracy.


Definition of public administration according to:

Felix A.Nigro & Lloyd G.Nigro (1984).

Dwight Waldo (1965)

Luther & Gullick (1937)-POSDCORB

L.D.White (1965)

Harold P.Cortner (Golembiewski, 1976)

George J. Gordon (1978)

Marshalls Dimock, Gladys Dimock(1969)

Douglas Fox (1979).


1. J.D. Williams public administration is all about the management of
scarce resources to accomplish the goals of public policy.

2. David H. Rosenbloom public administration is the use of managerial,
political and legal theories and process to fulfill legislative, executive and
judicial government mandates for the provision of regulatory and service
functions for the society as a whole or for some segment of it.
It is a government Executive.

It involves the generation/ formulation & implementation of
public policy.

It involves various public policies regarding human behavior
between executive and civilian.

It covers 3 public branches-Executive, Legislative & Judicial.

Has close connection with people since it gives services to
everybody and civilian.

It is different from Private Administration. But closely in term of
providing services to the community.
1. Its importance to society- How ?
2. Its importance in a democracy country- How ?
3. Its importance as a subject of study- How ?

Public Administration is an important part in social,
cultural and economic of a country.

A country can exists without Legislative or Judicial
system but there is no country that can exist without
administration.


Policy is a major decision that determines the task
required in administration, such as what to be done,
how, when and where it should be done.

Administration is the process where the policy and
decision is implemented, through law enforcement for
example.
Administration is free from political influences.

Politic will not influence the administration process in
any aspect of people life.

Reason ?
To ensure public administration can develop as a
professional service, unpolluted and able to manage
government matter effectively and efficiently.

As a prime mover for the countrys development.

To arrange and to implement plans and programs for the
country.

To implement government policies.

Have influence towards government policy.

As a dynamic agent.

To ensure availability of peoples basic needs.

In term of OWNERSHIP
In term of OBJECTIVES
In term of RESOURCES
In term of SYSTEM OF
ACCOUNTABILITY
In term of SIZE AND COMPLEXITY
Denhardt and Grubbs (1999) - public
administration is different from the private sector
because;

greater ambiguity of purpose VS bottom-line
profit making.

pluralistic decision making VS a few.

visibility of public sector management VS close-
door.
PUBLIC
ORGANIZATION
PRIVATE
ORGANIZATION
OWNERSHIP Belongs to the Government Belongs to private ownership, e.g.
owners, shareholders, and stakeholders.
OBJECTIVES To serve the public or people in the
society
To maximize profits
RESOURCES Mostly from the taxes collected from the
people
Resources are limited to only the owners,
shareholders, and stakeholders.
SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY To the superior, and also to the public Accountable to only the owner and
shareholders
SIZE AND COMPLEXITY It is the largest organization, and
dominant force of the country
It operates on a narrow and specialized
range of activities.
Scrutiny Public Scrutiny everyone citizen can
comment
Close-door approach, scrutine only by
the stakeholdes
Decision Making Pluralistic involving many people Decisions made by a few people


Government is of the people,
by the people, for the people


Ultimately ensures,

who gets what, when
and how in society.

A good understanding of public administration will ensure;

proper management of government,

an effective administrative system,

fair distribution of development programs and projects to
the people,

good leadership,

selection of leaders through fair elections.