What is public administration?

What is public administration (in short)?

• • Core Definition: Public administration encompasses the leadership and management functions carried out by civil officials involved in public sector governance. It includes the processes, routines, and decisions bureaucrats make on a daily basis to implement public policy and deliver essential services to citizens.

• • More technical definition accepted by scholars: public administration is a socially embedded process of collective relationship, dialogue, and actions to promote human flourishing for all. You can derive the essence of the technical definition from the above mentioned core definition. It will become clearer with the following references of activities carried out by public administration.

• • Breadth of Activities: Public administrators serve in a vast array of roles, from high-level officials like presidents and cabinet members to street-level bureaucrats like traffic police officers and the teachers in government run primary schools. They work in areas such as civic planning, public transportation, budgeting, policy evaluation, law enforcement, social services, and many others.

• • Intersection of Politics, Policy, and Management: Public administration lies at the crossroads of politics, policy, and management. It concerns the design and adoption of government policies, as well as the management and leadership required to implement them effectively.

Historical and Evolving Context

• • Ancient Roots: While the concept of the ‘career civil administrator’ is often associated with the Mesopotamian Empire, the roots of civil leadership can be traced back even further to tribal leadership in the Stone Age. Public administration is considered the cornerstone of any civilisation as it provides the base for all other social activities to flourish. Thus, as an activity, public administration has been functional in all cultures, and historical works such as Kautilya’s Arthashstra, the Works of Arestotle, and Plato have references to how the government should perform its duties. What has changed now is scope and focus.

• • Growth of Government and Expectations: The functions and mandates of public administrators have expanded significantly in response to increasing citizen demands for services. This has led to a paradoxical situation where public expectations for services rise while satisfaction with government declines. This makes it even more relevant to study public administration scientifically as a rational activity. By rational, we expect that there should be a one-to-one relationship between the activities of public administration and the desired result. The people are ‘looking’ and this sense must be there for public administration such that they will not misuse their powers.

• • Globalisation and Challenges: Public administrators today face numerous challenges posed by globalisation, including climate change, terrorism, rapid urbanisation, and the management of globally sourced information. These complex challenges require them to be adaptable and innovative in their approaches. Public administration needs to be prepared to face global challenges such as COVID-19 pandemic or any significant war scenario such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which had an impact on the supply of food and oil to India. 

Key Themes and Tensions

• • Good Governance:  Good governance in public administration refers to the effective, efficient, and ethical exercise of authority to meet the needs of society. It builds trust between the government and the people, fosters legitimacy, and ultimately leads to a more stable and equitable society. The rise of the internet and access to information has fuelled demands for greater transparency and accountability in government. Public administrators are increasingly expected to be responsive to citizen concerns and to justify their actions.
  • Great Paradox: The growing disconnect between rising public expectations and declining satisfaction with government performance breeds distrust and disillusionment. Citizens, feeling unheard and underserved despite increased demands, often turn to protests as a means of expressing their frustrations. This rising tide of discontent highlights the crucial need for governments to not only deliver essential services but also effectively communicate their efforts and engage with the public, building trust and demonstrating a commitment to addressing citizen concerns.

• • Politics vs. Administration: There is an ongoing tension between the political aspects of decision-making and the neutral business of management and administration. While bureaucrats are expected to remain impartial and implement policies effectively, political pressure can sometimes lead to biassed decision-making or the favouring of certain groups. This erosion of administrative neutrality undermines public trust, hampers efficiency, and can even lead to corruption.
     
  • Government vs. Business: The popular mantra “government should be run like a business” has gained traction. However, the experiences of COVID-19 and before the financial crisis in 2008 have raised questions on the appropriateness of applying business rationales to the public sector. Evidently,  the two sectors have fundamentally different purposes and functions, and therefore any convergence between public administration and private administration must be properly planned. 

The Future of Public Administration

• • Adapting to Change: Public administrators today operate in a complex and dynamic environment. They must be able to adapt to changing political and economic landscapes, adopt flexible strategies, and embrace innovation to effectively serve the public.

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  • Growing importance: As societies become more complex and interconnected, the role of public administration becomes even more critical. The field is experiencing a surge in student enrolments, reflecting the growing recognition of its importance.