Challenger Logo

Challenger App

Get it on Google PlayGet it on App Store
App Logo

No.1 PSC Learning App

★
★
★
★
★
1M+ Downloads
Get App

Which of the following statement(s) align(s) with John A. Veig’s definition of administration?

i. Administration is a determined action taken in pursuit of a conscious purpose.

ii. It involves preventing developments that conflict with intended goals.

iii. It is limited to the executive branch of government.

iv. It includes the systematic ordering of resources to achieve desired outcomes.

AOnly i, ii, and iv

BOnly i and iii

COnly ii and iv

DAll the above (i, ii, iii, and iv)

Answer:

A. Only i, ii, and iv

Read Explanation:

John A. Veig's Definition of Administration

  • John A. Veig, a notable figure in public administration, presented a functional and purposeful view of administration. His definition emphasizes the practical and goal-oriented nature of administrative activities.
  • According to Veig, administration is fundamentally a determined action taken with a clear, conscious objective in mind. This aligns perfectly with statement i.
  • A core aspect of effective administration, as per Veig, involves actively preventing or mitigating any developments or actions that might conflict with or hinder the achievement of the intended goals. This reinforces the validity of statement ii.
  • Furthermore, Veig's definition encapsulates the need for a systematic ordering of resources (human, financial, material, etc.) to ensure that desired outcomes are efficiently and effectively achieved. This directly supports statement iv.
  • Statement iii, which suggests administration is limited to the executive branch of government, does not align with Veig's broader understanding. While the executive branch is a primary locus of administrative activity, the principles of administration extend to all branches of government (legislative, judiciary, albeit in different capacities), various levels of government, and indeed to all types of organizations, including private and non-profit entities. Early classical theories sometimes emphasized a strict politics-administration dichotomy, but modern administrative thought, including perspectives like Veig's, adopts a more encompassing view.

Key Concepts for Competitive Exams:

  • Nature of Administration: Administration is generally understood as a universal activity, present in all organized efforts, whether public or private. It is goal-oriented, involves collective action, and requires systematic management of resources.
  • Public vs. Private Administration: While sharing common principles (like planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling), public administration differs from private administration in terms of its scope (public interest, accountability to citizens), legal framework, and political context.
  • Luther Gulick and Lyndall Urwick: Famous for their 'POSDCORB' acronym (Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Co-ordinating, Reporting, Budgeting), which outlines key functions of administration and highlights its systematic nature, echoing Veig's emphasis on determined action and resource ordering.
  • Evolution of Public Administration: The field has evolved from a narrow, efficiency-focused perspective (e.g., Scientific Management) to a broader view encompassing public policy, governance, and citizen participation, further moving away from the idea of administration being solely confined to the executive branch.

Related Questions:

Choose the correct statement(s) regarding Public and Private Administration:

  1. Public administration is characterized by bureaucratic processes, while private administration is business-like.

  2. Private administration is subject to the same level of public accountability as public administration.

Which of the following statements about the definition of administration is/are not correct?
i. Administration is derived from the Latin words ad and ministrare, meaning 'to serve' or 'to manage.'
ii. Administration requires a collective effort but does not necessarily involve a common purpose.
iii. Administration is a universal process that occurs only in governmental settings.

Consider the following statements about Luther Gulick’s contribution to public administration:

  1. He introduced the POSDCORB framework to define the scope of public administration.

  2. His framework includes Budgeting, which encompasses fiscal planning, accounting, and control.

  3. He argued that POSDCORB techniques are sufficient to address all administrative challenges.

Consider the following statements.
Assertion (A): Private administration focuses on profit as its primary objective.
Reason (R): Public administration’s objectives are often measurable in monetary terms and checked by accountancy methods.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

  1. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

  2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

  3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

  4. (A) and (R) are false.

Which of the following statements are correct about the definition of administration?
i. Administration involves the systematic ordering of affairs and calculated use of resources to achieve a purpose.
ii. Administration is solely the responsibility of the executive branch of government.