TOPIC 1

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION
WHAT IS PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION ?
 Definition of public administration according to:

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

2. Dwight Waldo (1965)
3. Luther & Gullick (1937)-POSDCORB
4. L.D.White (1965)
5. Harold P.Cortner (Golembiewski, 1976)
6. George J. Gordon (1978)
7. Marshalls Dimock, Gladys Dimock(1969) & Douglas
Fox (1979).
Definition of public administration
according to:
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”.
Characteristics of Public Administration
1. It is a government Executive.
2. It involves the generation/ formulation & implementation of public
policy.
3. It involves various public policies regarding human behavior between
executive and civilian.
4. It covers 3 public branches-Executive, Legislative & Judicial.
5. Has close connection with people since it gives services to everybody
and civilian.
6. It is different from Private Administration. But closely in term of
providing services to the community.
7. Non profit oriented
 Significance of Public Administration
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 & 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. It is a blue print, guidelines that provide
direction to the government to solve certain issues in a country.

 Administration is the process where the policy and decision is

implemented, through law enforcement for example.
 Principles of political administrative
dichotomy
 Administration is free from political influences.
 Politics 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.
 SUMMARIZATION OF THE
CONCEPT
 Leonard White “The study of administration” (1926) - Important
theory of public administration “separation of administration from
the direct influence of politics”
 Dichotomy of admin and politic in democratic nation:

 Responsibility to formulate policies & laws – elected politicians – mandate

by the people – wide authority amend constitution but should not involve in
the implementation or influence how policies and law should be performed.

 Other hand, P.A – professionals & not elected by voters – not have political
interest – represent as administrative machinery of govt – translate into
effective program and activities – goal for govt n public interest.
Role of public administration
1. As a prime mover for the country’s development.
Stimulator for country development – help spread out social & economic dev to every level of
society. Voice public needs & help generate new style in P.A solve social & economic probs.

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

Arrange – priority & preference – carry out. Fully utilize resources thru good economical and
social programs depend of effectiveness of P.A

3. To implement government policies.

Divide into smaller division – task clear

4. Have influence towards government policy.

Political process – influence in public policy. Close connection – provide service. Middle
person
CONT…
1. As a dynamic agent.
Demand , talent, interest

2. To ensure availability of people’s basic needs.

Public vs. Private Administration

1. In term of OWNERSHIP
2. In term of OBJECTIVES
3. In term of RESOURCES
4. In term of SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY
5. In term of SIZE AND COMPLEXITY
PUBLIC ORGANIZATION VS PRIVATE
ORGANIZATION

PUBLIC PRIVATE
ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION
OWNERSHIP Belongs to the Belongs to private
Government ownership, e.g. owners,
shareholders, and
stakeholders.
OBJECTIVES To serve the public or To maximize profits
people in the society
RESOURCES Mostly from the taxes Resources are limited to
collected from the people only the owners,
shareholders, and
stakeholders.
SYSTEM OF To the superior, and also Accountable to only the
ACCOUNTABILITY to the public owner and shareholders
SIZE AND It is the largest It operates on a narrow
COMPLEXITY organization, and and specialized range of
dominant force of the activities.
country
Private vs Public Administration
Private
Ultimate goal Maximize profit
Establishment Requirement of Registrar of
Company of Registrar of Business –
operate freely in free market – not
break laws – admin & mgt
subjected to shareholders.
Decision-making Much faster – chain of command
shorter and focused. Reporting line
shorter and number of people
involve smaller.
Tenure of office Vulnerable to be fired
Pension scheme May enjoy benefits
Transferable
Public
Satisfied citizen
Specific act under parliament,
ordinand if the state legislative
body or executive order of govt.
Govt dept report to respected
ministries & ministers to cabinet
also responsible to citizen
Longer time frame – need to
discuss and passed at different level
of government
Permanent carrier but numerous
and extended regulation to be
followed & cannot easily
terminated. Ample spaces to defend
themselves
Benefit of favorable pension
scheme upon retirement. Better
privilage protected by Pension Act
and government fund.
Transferable to other geograpical
areas – more experience and solve
personal problems
Abraham Lincoln stated that:

“ Government is of the people, by the

people, for the people”
Recent concept of New Public Administration
by Frank Marini

Ultimately ensures,

“who gets what, when and

how” in society.
CONCLUSION

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 and etc.
 Tazkirah
Pesanan Luqman Al-Hakim
kepada anak-anaknya,
“ hai anakku, janganlah
engkau terus menelan
sesuatu kemanisan dan
memuntahkan sesuatu
kepahitan kerana
manisnya itu belum
tentu menimbulkan kesegaran
dan pahit itu belum tentu
menimbulkan
kesengsaraan”.
End of Topic 1
Any question ?