INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION:

GROWTH AND EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC ADMINSITRATION AS DISCIPLINE

SUBMITTED TO

DR . BANASMITA SHARMA
GE- 5 POLITICAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

ROYAL SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

SUBMITTED BY

ASHWIN SINGH

222182008

B.A SOCIOLOGY ( 3RD SEM )

 GROWTH AND EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC ADMINSITRATION AS
DISCIPLINE

As an activity, public administration originated much earlier than its birth as a discipline. One
time American president, Woodrow Wilson is thought to be founding father of public
administration as a separate discipline because his essay laid the foundation for systematic
and separate study of public administration. As Nicholas Henry says, “Woodrow Wilson
largely set the tone for the early study of public administration”.
In 1887, Woodrow Wilson introduced Americans to a new field, public administration, with
an essay titled, “The study of Administration”. Besides, Wilson’s article on administration,
Americans also witnessed “The Reformist Public Service Movement” which planted ideas of
public administration in the practical ground – even in streets, says Nicholas Henry.
The evolution of public administration as a separate discipline can be traced in the following
phases.

1. THE POLITICS/ADMINISTRATION DICHOTOMY (1887 – 1926)

The Politics-Administration Dichotomy is a concept in public administration that

emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, notably associated with Woodrow
Wilson, who later became the 28th President of the United States. The dichotomy
suggests a separation between the political leadership (elected officials) and the
administrative or bureaucratic functions in government.
This idea gained prominence during Wilson's essay "The Study of Administration" in
1887, where he argued for a clear distinction between politics and administration in
order to enhance efficiency, expertise, and professionalism in government operations.
The key points of the Politics-Administration Dichotomy are as follows:
1. Politics: Refers to the elected officials, policymakers, and the political decision-
making process. This involves the formulation of policies, laws, and goals that reflect
the will of the people and respond to societal needs.
2. Administration: Pertains to the execution and implementation of policies. This
involves the bureaucracy, civil servants, and public administrators responsible for
carrying out the directives established by the political leadership.
Key features of the Politics-Administration Dichotomy include:
 Separation of Roles: Advocates for a clear separation between the political and
administrative roles to prevent the politicization of public administration and to
ensure that administrators focus on efficient implementation without being influenced
by partisan politics.
 Expertise and Professionalism: Emphasizes the need for a professional and expert
administrative class to handle the technical aspects of governance, regardless of
political changes. This was seen as a way to ensure a more effective and efficient
government.
 Efficiency and Accountability: Aims to enhance efficiency by allowing elected
officials to focus on policy formulation while administrators focus on implementation.
It also aims to establish accountability within each sphere, making it clear who is
responsible for what aspects of governance.
However, it's important to note that the Politics-Administration Dichotomy has been a
subject of criticism and debate. Critics argue that the strict separation between politics
and administration is not always practical or feasible, as the two are inherently
intertwined in the complex realities of governance. In practice, there is often an
overlap, and administrators may find it challenging to remain entirely apolitical.

2. PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (1927 – 1937)

During the period from 1927 to 1937, the principles of public administration
underwent significant development and refinement. These principles, which continue
to influence the field, reflect a commitment to effective and responsible governance.
Efficiency and Economy were key considerations, with an emphasis on executing
duties competently and utilizing resources judiciously. The principle of Hierarchy
stressed the importance of clear organizational structures and lines of authority to
facilitate efficient decision-making and communication.
Specialization and Expertise were advocated to enhance effectiveness, encouraging
the assignment of tasks based on individual skills and knowledge. Administrators
were urged to specialize in specific areas to improve the delivery of public services.
The principles of Impersonality and Neutrality underscored the importance of fair and
impartial treatment. Administrators were expected to act without favoritism, basing
decisions on established rules and procedures rather than personal considerations.
Accountability and Responsibility were foundational principles, requiring
administrators to be transparent and answerable for their actions. Accountability
extended to resource use, with a responsibility to fulfill duties in the public interest
while complying with laws and ethical standards.

3. THE CHALLENGE (1938-1950)

The period from 1938 to 1950, often referred to as "The Challenge," was a time of
significant upheaval and transformation, shaped by global events such as World War
II and its aftermath. During this era, public administration faced multifaceted
challenges that had a profound impact on governance and administrative practices.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 posed an unprecedented challenge for
governments worldwide. Public administrators were thrust into the task of mobilizing
resources, managing personnel, and orchestrating logistics to support the war effort.
The war necessitated the expansion of government functions, leading to increased
intervention in various aspects of society, including economic planning and rationing.
As the war drew to a close, the focus shifted to post-war reconstruction and planning.
Public administrators grappled with the complexities of transitioning from wartime to
peacetime governance, addressing the needs of returning veterans, and rebuilding
economies devastated by the conflict.
This period also witnessed the development of administrative theory as scholars and
practitioners sought to adapt to the evolving challenges. The war prompted a
reevaluation of traditional administrative practices, fostering the emergence of new
perspectives on public administration that emphasized adaptability to changing
circumstances.
Social and economic reforms took center stage in the post-war era. Public
administrators played a crucial role in implementing policies related to social welfare,
healthcare, and economic development to rebuild societies and address the challenges
of reconstruction.
The establishment of international organizations, notably the United Nations,
reflected a growing recognition of the need for global cooperation. Public
administrators were actively involved in diplomatic efforts, international governance,
and the coordination of resources on a global scale.

While Robert Dahl in his essay, “The Science of Public Administration” expressed
three problems in the evolution of science of public administration –
i. Exclusion of normative consideration from public administration.
ii. Exclusion of the study of human behavior from the science of public
administration.
iii. Exclusion of the varying historical, sociological, economic & other
conditioning factors from the science of public administration.
By 1950s, both the objections were completely rejected by scholars of public
administration. This rejections left public administration without identity, and thus a
new phase of evolution of the discipline of public administration took birth.

4. THE CRISIS OF IDENTITY (1950-1970)

1. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AS POLITICAL SCIENCE (1950-1970)

In this phase, public administration was reestablished into the mother discipline,
political science. But there were several issues such as-
a)Absence of comprehensive intellectual framework for public administration as a
separate discipline.
b)And willing of political scientists to engulf public administration into political
science.
During 1960s, the American Political Science Association moved officially to rid
itself of public administration. So, a scholar pointed that political science seems to
have less utility in the education of public administrators. Political science educates
for “intellectualized understanding” of public administration, whereas public
administration educates for “knowledgeable action”.
In the aftermath of World War II, the focus on post-war reconstruction and the
implementation of social programs presented administrators with new challenges.
This period saw a shift toward incorporating behavioral science and systems theory
into public administration. Scholars explored the human and organizational aspects of
administration, emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior in the
workplace and the interconnectedness of administrative systems.
The Civil Rights Movement and other social justice movements influenced public
administration by bringing issues of inequality and discrimination to the forefront.
Administrators were tasked with addressing these concerns within governmental
policies and the period from 1950 to 1970 witnessed a significant shift in the
conceptualization of public administration, emphasizing its role as a form of
management. This era marked a departure from earlier perspectives that primarily
focused on administrative processes and structures. Instead, there was a growing
recognition of the similarities between public and private management, leading to the
emergence of the concept of public administration as management

5. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (1970-

PRESENT)

he notion of "public administration as public administration" signifies a pivotal shift

in the field's identity. This transition involved a deliberate separation from both
political science and management, establishing public administration as an
autonomous discipline with its own unique principles, theories, and practices.
The crucial moment in this declaration of independence occurred in 1970 with the
establishment of the National Association of Schools of Public Administration
(NASPAA). This marked a formal acknowledgment and institutionalization of public
administration as a distinct academic and professional discipline.
The birth of NASPAA symbolized the field's commitment to cultivating a specialized
body of knowledge and expertise. This move allowed public administration to
develop its own theoretical frameworks, research methodologies, and educational
programs tailored to the distinct challenges and dynamics of the public sector.
Recent research in public administration has affirmed the significance of this
autonomy. Pioneering efforts in public administration have been validated on several
fronts. Firstly, there is a recognition that professional public administration
contributes positively to governance. The expertise and specialized knowledge of
public administrators are acknowledged as essential elements in effective and efficient
governance.
Moreover, contemporary research underscores the importance of collaboration
between public administrators and elected politicians. Despite distinct roles and
responsibilities, the alignment of efforts between these two groups is emphasized as
crucial for fulfilling the public interest. This recognizes that both elected officials and
appointed administrators play complementary roles in advancing the goals of
government.
The acknowledgment that elected politicians and appointed administrators perform
different functions, yet both contribute to public welfare, reflects a more nuanced
understanding of their respective roles. It highlights the idea that the synergy between
political leadership and administrative expertise is vital for responsive and responsible
governance.