UGC NET Political Science Unit–9 Public Administration

1. Meaning and Evolution of Public Administration

Meaning

• Public Administration is the implementation of government policies and the management of public affairs.

• It refers to the organization, direction, and supervision of public programs and services.

• It includes both policy-making and policy-execution functions.

Key Thinkers: Woodrow Wilson, Max Weber, F.W. Taylor, Luther Gulick, Herbert Simon.

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Evolution of Public Administration

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Public vs. Private Administration

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🟢 2. Approaches to the Study of Public Administration

(i) Systems Theory

• Introduced by David Easton and Chester Barnard.

• Administration is viewed as a system of interrelated parts (inputs → process → outputs → feedback).

• Helps understand environmental influence and dynamic relationships in governance.

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(ii) Decision-Making Approach

• Developed by Herbert Simon (Administrative Behavior, 1947).

• Decision-making is the core of administration.

• Introduced concept of “bounded rationality” — decisions are rational but limited by available information, time, and human capacity.

• Emphasizes scientific analysis and rational choice in administration.

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(iii) Ecological Approach

• Introduced by Fred W. Riggs.

• Studies the relationship between administration and its environment (social, cultural, political, and economic).

• Riggs’ “Prismatic-Sala Model” analyzed developing countries where modern and traditional systems coexist.

• Helps explain administrative diversity among nations.

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🟢 3. Major Theories and Concepts in Public Administration

(i) Scientific Management Theory

• Developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor (1911).

• Focus: Efficiency, standardization, and productivity.

• Principles:

  1. Scientific study of work.

  2. Selection and training of workers.

  3. Cooperation between management and labour.

  4. Division of responsibility between managers and workers.

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(ii) Rational Choice Theory

• Based on economic and behavioral principles.

• Assumes individuals act rationally to maximize self-interest.

• Applied in public choice theory and policy-making (e.g., Buchanan and Tullock).

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(iii) New Public Administration (NPA)

• Emerged in the 1960s (Minnowbrook Conference, 1968).

• Key advocates: Dwight Waldo, Frank Marini, George Frederickson.

• Focus: Relevance, equity, social justice, ethics, citizen participation.

• Rejects value-neutrality — administration must pursue social equity.

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(iv) Development Administration

• Originated in post-colonial developing countries.

• Focus on economic growth, nation-building, modernization.

• Key thinker: Edward Weidner.

• Features:

  • Goal-oriented administration.

  • Strong political-administrative link.

  • Participation and innovation.

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(v) Comparative Public Administration (CPA)

• Popularized by Ferrel Heady, Fred Riggs, and Nicholas Henry.

• Compares administrative systems across countries.

• Focus: context, environment, culture, and institutional differences.

• Instrumental in studying developing nations’ bureaucracy.

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(vi) New Public Management (NPM)

• Emerged in 1980s–1990s under the influence of liberalization and globalization.

• Major focus: efficiency, accountability, performance, and market orientation.

• Promoted by scholars like Christopher Hood, Osborne and Gaebler.

• Features:

  • Decentralization and autonomy.

  • Contracting out and privatization.

  • Customer orientation.

  • Performance-based management.

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(vii) Changing Nature of Public Administration

• Post-1990s: Globalisation, liberalisation, and technology transformed public administration.

• Focus shifted from rule-bound bureaucracy → result-oriented governance.

• E-governance, citizen charter, and transparency are key components.

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🟢 4. Theories and Principles of Organization

(i) Scientific Management (Taylor)

• Emphasized scientific methods, time-motion studies, and task specialization for efficiency.

(ii) Bureaucratic Theory (Max Weber)

• Weber’s bureaucracy is based on:

  • Hierarchy of authority

  • Division of labour

  • Rule-based operation

  • Impersonality

  • Merit-based recruitment

• Ensures efficiency, predictability, and accountability.

(iii) Human Relations Theory (Elton Mayo)

• Origin: Hawthorne Experiments (1924–32).

• Emphasized worker morale, motivation, and group behavior.

• Administration is not just technical but also social and psychological.

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🟢 5. Managing the Organization

Theories of Leadership

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Theories of Motivation

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🟢 6. Organisational Communication

Meaning

Communication is the process of transmitting information and understanding between people in an organization.

Theories and Principles

Chester Barnard’s Theory of Communication

• Communication is the foundation of cooperation and coordination in organizations.

• Principles:

  1. Clear channels of communication.

  2. Authentic and reliable messages.

  3. Informal communication complements formal communication.

  4. Feedback is essential for effectiveness.

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Information Management in the Organization

• Involves collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of information for decision-making.

• Modern administration uses MIS (Management Information Systems) and E-Governance tools to enhance transparency.

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🟢 7. Managing Conflict in the Organization

Mary Parker Follett’s Theory of Conflict

• Follett viewed conflict as natural and constructive, not harmful.

• Suggested “integration” as the best method to resolve conflict.

• Three methods of conflict resolution:

  1. Domination – one wins, other loses.

  2. Compromise – both give up something.

  3. Integration – both find a creative, win–win solution.

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🟢 8. Management by Objectives (MBO)

Concept by Peter Drucker

• Introduced in his book “The Practice of Management” (1954).

• MBO means setting clear, measurable goals agreed upon by both management and employees.

Features

1. Participative goal setting.

2. Performance evaluation based on results.

3. Feedback and review.

4. Integration of individual and organizational goals.

Benefits

• Improves motivation, coordination, and accountability.

• Encourages efficiency and innovation.

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🟢 9. Changing Nature of Public Administration in Liberalisation and Globalisation

• Shift from government to governance.

• Introduction of market mechanisms and public–private partnerships (PPP).

• Increased emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and e-governance.

• Citizens viewed as customers/partners rather than subjects.

• Administrative reforms: Citizen’s Charter, Right to Information (RTI), digital governance.

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🟢 Summary Table