INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
INTRODUCTION
Public administration is a field that involves the execution of government policies and initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. It demands the formulation of policies to address societal issues, the delivery of public services, and the management of public resources. Public administration has become increasingly significant recently as governments confront difficult challenges, including economic inequality, climate change, and global pandemics. Consequently, there is an increasing need for public administrators who are capable of making informed decisions for the public benefit and effectively directing these challenges.
As an example, a public administrator may collaborate with local nonprofits, allocate resources efficiently, and assess the program’s efficacy to implement a government-funded initiative to fight homelessness in a city. They would also be responsible for creating policies that address the root causes of homelessness and working with other agencies to provide comprehensive solutions.
In addition, public administrators must be capable of adapting to evolving political climates and public sentiments to guarantee that their policies remain effective and pertinent. To forge partnerships that strengthen their initiatives and effectively engage with a variety of citizens, they must also possess strong communication skills. In general, the function of a public administrator is essential for the enhancement of the quality of life for both individuals and communities, as well as the start of positive change.
DEFINITIONS
Public administration is described as the examination of governmental matters. To ascertain the answers to problems such as what constitutes public administration and the scope and depth it includes, it is essential to analyze the perspectives and opinions of some scholars in the field.
The term “administration” comes from the Latin words ad (to) and ministrare (to serve or manage), meaning to serve or manage affairs, whether public or private.
1. Public Administration is the detailed a systematic execution of public law. Every particular application of law is public administration.
Woodrow Wilson (1887)
2. Public administration is the action part of government, the means by which the purposes and goals of government are realized.
John J. Corson and J.P. Harris
3. Public administration consists of all those operations having for their purpose of fulfillment or enforcement of public policy.
L.D. White
4. Public administration is that part of science of administration which has to do with government and thus concerned itself primarily with the executive branch where the work of government is done through there are obviously problem connection with legislative and judicial branches.
Luther Gulick
5. Public administration in all modern nations is identified with the executive branch of government. It includes the shaping of policy on the way up, execution of policy after it has been made, and as a necessary part of the execution, decision making about policy matters on the way down.
James W. Fesler and Donald F. Kettl (1996)
6. Public administration is concerned with the management of public programs.
Robert B. Denhardt (1995)
7. Public administration is the use of managerial, political, and legal theories and processes to fulfill legislative, executive, and judicial governmental mandates for the provision of regulatory and service functions for the society as a whole or for some segments of it.
David H. Rosen bloom and Robert S. Kravchuk (1997)
8. Public Administration may be defined as all processes, organizations, and individuals acting in official positions and roles associated with carrying out laws and other rules adopted or issued by legislatures, executives, and courts (many activities are also concerned with formulations of these rules).PA is also a field of academic and community study and professional training leading to public service careers at all levels of government.
Milakovich and Gordon
