Question

Consider the following statements regarding Public and Private Administration:

1. Public administration is subject to political direction and control, unlike private administration.

2. The principle of uniformity ensures that public administration operates under common laws and regulations.

3. Private administration’s primary objective is profit, measurable through accountancy methods.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2, and 3
• D. None

Answer 1

Answer:

C. 1, 2, and 3

Understanding Public and Private Administration

• Public Administration primarily deals with the implementation of government policies and programs, serving the public interest. It encompasses all government activities, from local to national levels.
• Private Administration, on the other hand, refers to the management and operations of private organizations, businesses, and corporations with specific objectives, primarily profit generation.

Key Differences and Principles:

• Political Direction and Control:
  • Public Administration: Is inherently subject to political direction and control. This means it operates under the guidance of elected officials (ministers, legislators) and the policies formulated by the political executive. It serves as an instrument for achieving political goals and public welfare.
  • Private Administration: Is largely free from direct political control, though it must operate within the legal framework established by the government. Its direction comes from owners, shareholders, and market forces.
  • Accountability: Public administration is accountable to the legislature, judiciary, and ultimately the citizens. Private administration is primarily accountable to its shareholders and customers.
• Principle of Uniformity (Rule of Law):
  • Public Administration: Operates strictly under the principle of uniformity and the Rule of Law. This means all citizens are treated equally under the law, and public services are provided without discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, or religion. It ensures fairness, consistency, and predictability in government actions.
  • Regulations: Government bodies are governed by a complex web of laws, rules, and regulations designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
  • Private Administration: While also bound by general laws (e.g., labor laws, environmental regulations), private organizations have more flexibility in their internal policies and operational procedures, which may vary greatly between companies.
• Primary Objective and Measurement:
  • Private Administration: Its fundamental objective is profit maximization. Success is primarily measured through financial metrics such as net profit, return on investment (ROI), market share, and stock price. These are quantifiable using established accountancy methods.
  • Public Administration: Its core objective is public service, welfare, and social equity, not profit. Its success is measured by the effectiveness of policy implementation, quality of services delivered, public satisfaction, and social impact (e.g., literacy rates, health indicators, crime reduction). These are often harder to quantify purely in monetary terms.
  • Service Motive: Public administration is driven by a service motive, aiming to uplift the societal standard of living and provide essential public goods and services that the private sector might not offer due to lack of profitability.