Introduction to Public Administration Upul Abeyrathne, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Political Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara

Definitional crisis Public Administration is both a profession and discipline. It has been seen differently in it various phases of evolution Knowing the way it has been viewd in the past is important to know where it is at present.

Unique Discipline It differs from Political Science- the mother discipline It differs from Management: Alter Ego

It has evolved through at least six paradigms. 1.Politics /Administration Dichotomy, Principles of Administration The Challenge, Public Administration as political Science

It has evolved through at least six paradigms. 3. Public Administration as Management Public Administration as Public Administration present 5.Public Administration as Governance

Each Paradigm can be characterized according to whether it has ‘locus’ or ‘focus’ Locus is institutional ‘where’ of the field. A recurring locus of PA is the government bureaucracy. Focus is the specialized ‘what’ of the field. It body of knowledge and expertise. One Focus of public administration has been the study of administrative principles

Phase I Woodrow Wilson seminal Essay (The Study of Administration in the Journal of Political Science quarterly in 1887) This article has identified that spheres of competence of politicians and administrators are different. Political problems are not Administrative problems Administrative activity is like business activity

Development of his thesis by political Scientists Frank J. Goodnow (1900) The Politics and Administration He has identified two functions of government Politics and administration ‘Politics’ has to do with with policies or expression of the state will ‘Administration has to do with the execution of these policies

Separation of powers provided the basis for this distinction. “ Legislative branch,aided by the interpretive abilities of the judicial branch express the will of the state and formed policy. The Executive branch administered those policies impartially and nonpartisanly

The emphasis of this paradigm is on locus; i.e. where public administration should be Specific feature of this phase is the close identification of public administration as one of the building block of political science.(American Political science association in 1914 has stated that the field of political science was concerned with training for citizenship; professional preparations such as law and journalism, educating researchers and training and to prepare specialists for government positions.

Leonard D. White Introduction to Public administration in 1926 This is the first text book in the field of public administration It has reflected the value that partisan politics should not intrude on administration, management lends itself to scientific study, Public Administration is capable of becoming a value free science, The mission of public adminitration is economy, and efficiency, period.

Two long term effect of the paradigm I 1. Practical 2. Intellectual This dichotomy provided some protection to for a fledging profession.