Lecture on Theories of Public Administration

Introduction

• Subject Focus: Leadership, decision making, management, and administration.
• Main Topic: Theories of public administration.
  • Aim: Understand factors influencing public administration outcomes.

Definition of Administration

1. Planned Approach

   • Solves problems in individual/group activities (public and private).
   • Design for solutions and improvements.

2. Activities of Groups

   • Cooperation to achieve common goals.
   • Action-oriented, focusing on group welfare.

3. Cooperative Human Effort

   • High degree of rationality in collaboration.
   • Effective goal attainment through shared ideas and solutions.

Public Administration

• Definition: A species of administration focused on cooperative human action.
• Theory Components:
  • History
  • Organizational, social, and political theories.
  • Epistemology and bureaucracy studies.

Branches of Public Administration

1. New Public Administration

   • Contemporary methods and community needs.

2. Classic Public Administration

   • Historical approaches (decades/centuries old).

3. Postmodern Public Administration

   • Imagination-based concepts and future possibilities.

Characteristics of Administration (Waldo, 1955)

• Organization and Management
  • Organization: Structure and anatomy.
  • Management: Functioning and implementation.

Theories of Public Administration

Classical Public Administration Theory

• Based on Economic Rationality

  • Motivation through economic incentives.
  • Controlled irrational behaviors.

• Branches:

  1. Scientific Management
  2. Administrative Principles
  3. Bureaucratic Organization Theory

Modern Public Administration Theory

• Behavioral and Quantitative Focus

  • Emphasis on output results and client focus.

• Components:

  1. System Approach
     • Organizations viewed as systems.
     • Coordination within subsystems.
  2. Structural Functional Approach
     • Delivery of services through structured functions.
  3. Contingency Approach
     • Action based on internal/external situations.
  4. Behavioral School
     • Focus on employee behavior and effectiveness.

Postmodern Public Administration Theory

• Ambiguous Belief Systems
  • Reality is socially constructed.
  • Knowledge and meaning are reader-determined.

Effects of Public Administration Theories

• Public-Private Partnership
• Policy Making Influence
• Political Economy Movements
• New Goals & Decentralization
• Staff and Line Complementarity
• Human Relations Approach
• People's Participation in Decision Making
• Bureaucratic Pattern Changes

Conclusion:

• Understanding these theories aids in comprehending public administration’s scope and adaptations.
• Encouragement to further explore reliable sources for additional information.