| Public Administration |
Article Index for Public Administration |
Articles about Public Administration |
Website Links For Public Administration |
Information AboutPublic Administration |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | |
| government | |
| political philosophy | |
| public administration | |
| civil societygovernment | |
| political philosophy | |
| public administration | |
| civil society | |
| administration | |
|
Public administration is, broadly speaking, the study and implementation of Policy . The adjective 'public' often denotes 'government', though it increasingly encompasses nonprofit organizations such as those of Civil Society or any entity and its management not specifically acting in self-interest. The academic field evolved from academic political science as a separate study in the late 1920s. Roots to earlier theorists like Max Weber were later emphasized perhaps to give the field greater standing. Most public administration theorists advocate a bright line differentiation of the professional field from academic disciplines like political science and sociology though this is contested. Public Administration Theory is the domain where discussions of the meaning and purpose of government, bureaucracy, budgets, governance, and public affairs take place in the field. In recent years, public administration theory has often connoted a heavy orientation toward critical theory and Postmodern philosophical notions of government, governance, and power, but many public administration scholars still adhere to a classic definition of the term which gives heavy weight to constitutionality, service, bureaucratic forms of organization, and hierarchical government. As a field, public administration can be compared to business administration, and the MPA viewed as similar to an MBA for those wishing to pursue governmental or non-profit careers. The MPA is usually less skill-oriented than an MBA, and entails substantial philosophical and sociological aspects not usually found in business schools. There are derivative and related degrees that address public affairs, public policy, and the like. Differences often connote program emphases on policy analysis techniques or other topical focuses such as the study of international affairs as opposed to focuses on constitutional issues such as separation of powers, administrative law, problems of governance and power, and participatory democracy. There is minor tradition that holds that the more specific term Public Management refers to ordinary, routine or typical Management concerns, but in the context of achieving Public Good . Others see public management as a new, economically driven perspective on the operation of government. This latter view is often termed "new public management" by its advocates and can be seen as a reform attempt aimed at reemphasizing the professional nature of the field versus its academic or disciplinary characteristics. SEE ALSO
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|