PIA Introduction to Public Affairs Week 3: Reflecting on Readings
Public Administration Measuring Our Perceptions of Country Administration & Governance: Our perceptions of different world governments can be an interesting debate. Let’s see where your perception of your own country falls along the x-axis of extremes: Administration- Centralized vs. Decentralized Good Governance- Accountable vs. Not-accountable Transparency- Strong vs. Weak Rule of Law- Strong vs. Weak Participation- Strong vs. Weak (Schiavo-Campo & McFerson, Ch.1)
Public Administration Measuring Our Perceptions of Country Administration: Administrative Effectiveness (4 E’s): Strong Vs. Weak: Economy Efficiency Effectiveness Equity (Schiavo-Campo & McFerson, Ch.1)
Measuring Perceptions Cont. Mapping our country’s government along the x- axis and y axis: Democratic Autocratic IlliberalLiberal Zakaria, Ch.1
1. Why do you think we are reading “The Promised Land”? 2. What did you learn about Clarksdale Mississippi that surprised you? 3. What does Clarksdale tell us about social systems in America? Discussion: Lemann, The Promised Land
Classics- Wilson In Groups of 8-10 persons, discuss and answer the Question Assigned by Group Number: 1) How does Wilson define ‘Administration’? What should it be like? How does this compare to the definitions in the core readings? 2) What is the study of Administration? Why is the study of Administration relevant? 3) How does Wilson present monarchies verses democracies? How do they compare? 4) What is important to consider or anticipate in administration development in relationship to constitution-making or when amending a constitution?
Classics- Kafka In Same Group, Discuss and Answer the Question Assigned by Group Number: 1) What administrative & bureaucratic issues does Kafka reflect in his story? Are there any you think he missed? 2) What do the characters of K. and the Mayor represent? Why are they key? 3) How does Kafka portray ‘Government Administration’ and ‘Bureaucracy’ in his story and characterization? Is his portrayal of Administration still relevant? Explain. 4) What does K. say about how administration ‘may decide the life of a human being’? Why is this important to consider in Political Affairs & Public Administration?
Degree Specific Readings Get together with others in your specific degree (no more than 5-7 persons per group), and discuss: 1) What will this book be about? 2) Why do you think it is assigned to you to read in this class? Aka. What might you gain in learning in reading it? 3) How did the assigned reading for today relate to the Core and/or Classic readings? What were common or overlapping themes?