The Concept of Public Administration
The Concept of Public Administration
Historically, Governments have attempted to develop sound governance and public administration to support social, political and economic development. However, changing in political and economic context have made it increasingly difficult to determine what constitute the principles, foundations, quality and effectiveness of public administration. (UNECOSOC, 2005) The present report presents some initial thoughts and recommendations about the methodology that can generate consensus on these principles and foundations. Over the past few decades, the principle and foundations of public administration have experienced a radical transformation, owing to two major changes in the world. First , democratic states now outnumber their non-democratic counterparts, establishing a significant precedent in world history. This global movement for democratic governance has been pursued not only as a value in and of itself, but also highlighted the need to foster greater interaction among three sets of actors in the process of governance: those from government organization, the civil society and the private sector. According to Dimock (1973), says public administration is the fulfillment or enforcement of public policy as declared by the competent authorities. It deals with the problems and powers, the organization and techniques of management involved in carrying out the laws and policies formulated by the policy-making agencies of government.
Secondly, the rapid pace of globalization has exerted new pressures on the public sector to increase its skills and capacity to deal with new challenges and opportunities, such as new information and communication technologies(ICT), the expansion of trade and investment, an increased focus on public goods such as the environment and human rights, and the proactive role of global institutions such as the World Trade Organization that affect development processes at the country level. In combination,
Historically, Governments have attempted to develop sound governance and public administration to support social, political and economic development. However, changing in political and economic context have made it increasingly difficult to determine what constitute the principles, foundations, quality and effectiveness of public administration. (UNECOSOC, 2005) The present report presents some initial thoughts and recommendations about the methodology that can generate consensus on these principles and foundations. Over the past few decades, the principle and foundations of public administration have experienced a radical transformation, owing to two major changes in the world. First , democratic states now outnumber their non-democratic counterparts, establishing a significant precedent in world history. This global movement for democratic governance has been pursued not only as a value in and of itself, but also highlighted the need to foster greater interaction among three sets of actors in the process of governance: those from government organization, the civil society and the private sector. According to Dimock (1973), says public administration is the fulfillment or enforcement of public policy as declared by the competent authorities. It deals with the problems and powers, the organization and techniques of management involved in carrying out the laws and policies formulated by the policy-making agencies of government.
Secondly, the rapid pace of globalization has exerted new pressures on the public sector to increase its skills and capacity to deal with new challenges and opportunities, such as new information and communication technologies(ICT), the expansion of trade and investment, an increased focus on public goods such as the environment and human rights, and the proactive role of global institutions such as the World Trade Organization that affect development processes at the country level. In combination,
References: Ayo, B. 1998. “A Review of the Performance of the Nigerian Public Bureaucracy”, in D. Kolawole (ed.), Issues in Nigerian Government and Politics. Ibadan: Dekaal. Ipinlaye, O.2001. “The Nigerian Civil Service: An Insider’s View”, in F. Omotosho (ed.), Contemporary Issues in Public Administration. Lagos. Bolabay Nnoli, D. 2000. “Public Administration” in R. Muantala (ed.) African Public Administration: A Reader. Harare: AAPS United Nations, Economic and Social Council, 2005. New York