FEATURES OF PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION IN
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
By: Annah Sharon G. Rosales
 INTRODUCTION

In view of the economic and political change,

administrative systems in developing countries must
adopt themselves, to meet the changing
requirements. Public Administration is confronted
with heavy burden. It faces the challenge of
achieving rapid economic growth and development
while ensuring social justice in the shortest possible
time.
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

Personnel Management practices in the fields

of recruitment and promotion are outdated.
1st Merit is not given adequate recognition and
encouragement.
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

1st
The way that organizations recruit and promote employees
is not up-to-date and merit or performance based on ability
and skills is not always recognized and rewarded. Others
uses connections and influence to get ahead, often at the
expense of others
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

Public Administration is not sufficient to meet

the growing requirements of the state. A
2nd huge burden is placed on the administration
machinery, hence, it is unable to bear it.
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

2nd

The government is unable to keep up with the demands of

its citizens due to some factors like limited resources,
complex problems, public expectations and political
gridlock.
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

The growing centralization in decision making

3rd despite the attempt towards greater
delegation and decentralization
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

3rd
Despite efforts to delegate and decentralize decision-
making, power is becoming increasingly concentrated in the
hands of a few people due to some reasons like fear of
failure, lack of trust, desire for control and complex
problems
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

There is the dominance of the generalist

4th administration in the administrative system
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

4th
Refers to the fact that senior positions in government are
held by generalist rather than a specialist. Generalist are
individuals who have a broad education and experience in a
variety of fields, but who do not have specialized knowledge
in any one area. Specialist, on the other hand, have deep
knowledge and expertise in a specific field
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

The relationship between the power wielding

politician – minister and the decision-
5th implementing public officials is often not
harmonious as it ought to be
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

5th

The relationship between politicians and public officials are

often not harmonious because of some factors like they have
different goals and priorities, lack of trust, different
cultures and political interference which leads to ineffective
policy implementation, corruption and political instability.
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

Corruption in public administration in most

6th developing countries has increased
enormously
CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

6th
Corruption in public administration in most developing
countries has increased enormously in recent years due to a
number of factors like weak institutions, poverty, political
instability, lack of transparency, and cultural factors which
leads to inefficient government, economic inequality and
public mistrust
 1. INCREASED STATE ACTIVITY

Public administration assumes much importance in

modern times in the developed and the developing
societies as well.
The developing societies are engaged in the gigantic task
of development to eradicate the illiteracy, poverty and
hunger.
In the formulation and successful implementation of plans
and in the timely completion of schemes and projects,
administration plays a significant role.
 1. INCREASED STATE ACTIVITY

Administration’s operational focus should be on proper

policies and programs and their effective implementation.
The civil servants, in particular have to be accommodative
and sensitive to the needs of the people.
The importance of public administration in modern times
needs no special emphasis.
The well-being of the people is increasingly dependent on
the performance levels of the machinery of public
administration
 2. WELFARE STATE CONCEPT
The range and volume of activities have increased in
modern days. Scientific and technological advancement,
industrial revolution, the acceptance of democratic and
welfare state ideals and socialist principles and the
requirements of development administration are the most
important causative factors for the development.
Public Administration is an essential part of civilized
society in view of its dominant roles in regulation of
welfare and development
 3. DEMOCRATIC SETUP
Public Administration’s role is vital in the holding of
elections and implementation of the policies and
programs of the elected executives in a democratic
country.
It also assists the legislatures and the ministers in the
formulation of policy.
It is considered by some scholars that the public
bureaucracy in the 20th century is at the center of public
policy formulation.
 4. STABILIZING FORCE
According to Paul Pigors, “Administration insures the
continuance of the existing order with a minimum of
effort and risk.
Its fundamental is to “carry on” rather that to venture
along new and untried path.
Administrators are essentially the guardians of traditions.
Public Administration is a great stabilizing force in the
society.
5. INSTRUMENT OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Public Administration played a substantial role in

eradicating untouchability and lessening social
tensions and conflicts.
The administrative machinery itself consists of
people belonging to different faiths, castes and
groups who work untidily in discharging their
responsibility
 6. EVOLUTION OF THE DISCIPLINE

Public Administration as a field of study is of recent

origin. It can be stated that a serious study of public
administration started with the publication of
Woodrow Wilson’s essay on “The Study of Public
Administration” in 1887 in the American political
Science quarterly. He was indeed a pioneer who has
set the tone for its systemic study.
 6. EVOLUTION OF THE DISCIPLINE

The earlier writers stressed the dichotomy of politics

and public administration.
L.D. White, Willoughby, F.M. Marx almost buried
“dichotomy” between politics and public
administration with their writings.
Today, public administration has come to its own with
a more balanced emergence of the discipline.
 CONCLUSION
The study of Public Administration is very important for
practitioners. Through its systematic study, one gets an
acquaintance with the knowledge of the administrative
machinery and its numerous activities.
In developing societies, vast sections of these people
are not aware of the array of programs undertaken for
their upliftment. Study of Public Administration, a
certain extent, fills the gap.
 CONCLUSION
According to Woodrow Wilson, the object of
administrative study is to rescue executive method from
the confusion and costliness of empirical experiment
and set them upon the foundations laid deep on stable
principles.
According to Charles Beard, Public Administration is the
key science of contemporary civilization. There is no
object more important than the subject of public
administration.