public administration first session prof. denise scheberle
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome First card: write your name, what you hope to
learn in this class, something interesting or fun about you, your learning style, and attach a picture www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/ILSpage.html
Large card: Fold in half and write your first name; bring it to class next two weeks
Nature of the class Interactive Thoughtful Challenging Open Six discussion teams for case studies
Summary, lessons, application
Teams
1. Say hello! Assign team leaders and decide how to take attendance.
2. Create a short list of guidelines or ground rules for team and class discussion
3. Turn in extra copy of assignments and list of guidelines to me.
Learning styles typology
Active and reflective learners Sensing and intuitive learners Visual and verbal learners Sequential and global learners Thoughts? Any surprises? Confirmations?
Critical thinking
Process of avoiding one’s preconceptions by gathering evidence, contemplating and evaluating alternatives, and coming to a conclusion
Thought that is disciplined, comprehensive, based on intellectual standards, and, as a result, is well-reasoned
What is public administration? “PA may be defined as all processes,
organizations and individuals associated with carrying out laws and other rules adopted or issued by legislatures, executives and courts.” Inclusive definition: administrators are the
foremost, but not the only individuals in PA Gordon/Milakovich (authors)
Other definitions of PA
“Public administration is detailed and systematic execution of the law” Woodrow Wilson includes only the administrator excludes policy formulation as well as elected
officials
still other definitions “Whatever governments do for good or
ill. It is public administration’s political context that makes it public--that distinguishes it from private or business administration.” Shafritz and Russell both inclusive and confusing!
What can we conclude about PA?
it is conveys activity concerned with public service (what government can
give to people) tends to be concentrated in the executive branch usually connected with implementing the law
PA is also a field of study
People take undergraduate and graduate courses to learn how to manage public programs and respond to public needs
Also learn how to operate in a public rather than a private environment
How are public and private administration different?
goals incentives flexibility performance measures oversight other ways?
Tensions faced by public administrators
Efficiency v. Effectiveness reaching public goals or measuring activities?
Responsiveness v. Accountability responding to public needs or filling out
reports?
Difference between outputs and outcomes
For Thursday
what does Wilson mean by “science of administration”?
how does Wilson feel about the relationship between politics and administration?
what does Wilson mean by the “murderous fellow” sentence?
NEW: Are Wilson’s arguments still valid? Why or why not?
Public opinion of PA
Public support of PA has decreased since 1950s, even though professionalism and accountability have increased.
Why?
For Tuesday: Blast case
Who bears the blame for the disaster in Centralia?
What are the central causes of the tragedy? What are the lessons we can take from this
case? What connections do you see to Wilson’s
essay?
I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.
That’s good enough for government work.
People don’t like government…
Part III how does Wilson justify looking to other
countries for ideas for public administration? what does Wilson mean by the “murderous
fellow” sentence? solving what problem will allow us to “pilot the
world”?
Bureaucracy What do you think of when you think of
bureaucracy? Bureaucracy is a way of organizing to achieve
work Class example Bureaucracy is intended to maintain control
and coordination of large groups
Max Weber (1864-1920)
German economist and social historian wrote essay on bureaucracy in 1911 remains the most influential statement of what
bureaucracy is, and what problems are three types of authority
traditional, charismatic, legal-rational
Major elements of a bureaucracy
Fixed authority and official jurisdiction specialization
written, formal rules impersonal administration hierarchy of offices
chain of command career service with employment based on
qualifications
Negative consequences
monopolize information hard to destroy ambivalent about democracy dehumanizing of the bureaucrat ability of anyone to control powerful