UPSC Pub Ad Optional Answer writing

Model Answer

Aprroach:

• The question points towards various paradigms of PA.
• Write chronologically about each of them.
• Highlight important characteristics of each.

Paradigm 1: Politics/Administration Dichotomy, 1900- 1926

• (Traditional/Classical) tradition (Woodrow Wilson, Frank Goodnow), provided the rationale for PA to be an academic discipline and professional specialty.
• Wilson was credited for positing the existence of major distinction between Politics/Administration or what became known as P/A dichotomy.
• The role of politics has something to do with policies or the expressions of the will of state while administration, with execution.
• “Introduction to the Study of Public Administration” by L.D. White, made a distinction the PA is a value free science that aims at economy and efficiency

Paradigm 2: The Principles of Administration 1927-37

• W.F. Willoughby published “Principles of Public Administration.
• Advocated the idea of Principles in Administration.
• LOCUS was lost to the FOCUS on Principles.
• Theses principles could be applied anywhere of the PA.
• In 1937, Gulick and Urwick published, “Papers on the Science of Administration.
• Gave Seven Principles POSDCORB.

The Challenge to Paradigm 3: 1938-1950

• C.I. Barnard’s “The Function of Executive” gave Challenge through his theory that:
  1. Politics-PA Dictomy is wrong.
  2. Principles of PA to be abandoned.
• F.M. Marx questioned in his book “Elements of Public Administration”, that the Decisions were actually influenced by Politics.
• “The theory of PA in our times means in our time a theory of Politics also”
• Herbert Simon in 1947 in his book “Administrative Behaviour: A study of Decision Making Processes in Administration Organisation”, said Every principle could be neglected by a Counter Principle

Reaction to the Challenge: 1947-1950

• Simon suggested:
  1. Pure Science of PA on basis of social-psychology.
  2. Public Policy should be part of PA
• Political Scientist feared secession of PA from Political Science.
• A leading journal “American Political Science Review” mentioned, ‘Dominion of Political Science over PA should be maintained’.

Paradigm 3: Public Administration as Political Science 1950-1970

• It resulted in loss of FOCUS of PA.
• While LOCUS was maintained as the Governmental Bureaucracy.
• The influence of this paradigm was that, PA was just an ‘Area of Interest’ of Political Science.
• PA was mentioned as “Intellectual Wasteland”.
• The impact of Political Science over PA was:
  • – Democratic
  • – Pluralistic Polity
  • – Political Participation
  • – Equality under Law

Paradigm 4: Public Administration as Management 1956-1970

• Developed by side by side to Paradigm 3.
• It lost its identity behind some ‘Larger’ concept.
• FOCUS was in some specialized technique and expertise.
• In 1956, “Administrative Science Quaterly” was founded for both Public & Private Administration.
• A artificial distinction between Business and Public Administration was removed due to same techniques and Expertise in administration.
• In 1968, Minnowbrook Conference was organized and “NPA” was born.
• PA showed disinclination towards economy, administrative techniques, budgeting etc. It called to free PA both from Political Science and management to help discipline identify its uniqueness and identity

Paradigm 5: Public Administration as Public Administration 1970-Present

• It distinguishes it both from Political Science and Management.
• It is viewed as return of LOCUS of PA.
• In 1970, The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration(NASPAA) was established.

Paradigm 6: Emergence of Governance 1990- Present

• It doesn’t replaced Paradigm 5 but evolved side by side.
• Some trends were developed as Globalisation, Redefining Government as Partner, Treating citizens as customers.
• Governence is seen as a joint responsibility of Public, Private and Non-Profit organisations.
• Less Government and more Governance was emphasized.
• Trend was from “Hierarchical Govt” to “Horizontal Governing”.
• Government today is Sum Total of Laws, Policies, Organisations, Institutions, Co0operative Arrangements.
• The Rockefeller Foundation in US facvoured separation of PA from politics but emphasized the role of administration in policy formulation.
• “Refounding Movement” argued for Constitutionally based Policy roles for Administrators..
• A new role of PA was in ‘Policy Making’

New Paradigms in Public Administration

• Reinventing Government
• The New Public Management
• New Public Services
• Post-Modern Public Administration
• E-Governance