PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & THE PUBLIC PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 1B

OUTCOMES Differentiate between public, private and government sectors Identify the domain within which the public service exists Understand & explain the various government interventions

HOW DOES THE PUBLIC INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION? As clients and customers As Regulatees As Participants As Litigants Street-level Encounters As Contractors

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE The individual in society Everyday interactions Many things once done by individuals or family's now done by the State One-way (downward) flow of commands (individual can only give information) Social action vs bureaucratic action

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE The individual in a political system The individual (voter) is far removed from exerting direct control over government Citizens dormant regarding most decisions made about them – participation not equal to subjection Democratic citizen or bureaucratic subject? Low voter turnout – little political influemce Voters have little trust in government

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE The individual in the economy The government controls a large share of the economy This makes many people economically reliant on government Government gets more control over the individuals life “The road to serfdom”

DISCUSSION POINT The womb to tomb State

THE PUBLIC’S EVALUATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION A complex issue Public distrusts government (yet) public would rather have government programmes than tax cuts

THE TRADITIONAL MANAGERIAL APPROACH TO THE PUBLIC Maximise efficiency, economy & effectiveness Depersonalise service – “case management” Use of an ombudsman Do what is cost-effective to improve quality of interaction

IMPROVING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION A one-stop-shop approach (integrated service delivery) Simplified appeals process Taking a more individual (human) approach Effectiveness at the expense of economy

THE NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT APPROACH Views the public as customers Emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency & cost reduction Customer service concept delivers benefits as it focuses on what customer wants & highlights expenditure that produces results and that which does not The problem is services are not market driven – use surveys to determine needs & wants Limited users & political considerations in determining Not all customers have harmonious interests but must be served Who are the customers?

WHO IS THE (NPM) CUSTOMER? Wide ranging Government employees and contractors Welfare recipients Taxpayers Citizens etc

THE POLITICAL APPROACH TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Emphasis on values of representation, responsiveness & public accountability Provide a means for public participation without which no public “ownership” Participation promotes community & political integration Participation promotes legitimacy of government

EXAMPLES OF NPM Direct participation in government School governing bodies Ward committees Client centred administration Important when customer unable to represent themselves Children Mentally ill etc… Co-production Joint provision of public services by public agencies and consumers Recycling programmes Neighbourhood watch etc