Question

Which of the following statements are correct about public administration?
i. Public administration is concerned with the formulation and implementation of public policies for public welfare.
ii. Public administration is identical to private administration in all aspects.

• A. i only
• B. ii only
• C. Both i and ii
• D. Neither i nor ii

Answer 1

Answer:

A. i only

Understanding Public Administration

• Public administration is a broad field concerned with the implementation of government policy and the provision of public services to the citizens.

• It encompasses the daily work of government at all levels (local, state, national) and involves a wide range of activities, from policy formulation to service delivery.

Key Aspects of Public Administration

Public Welfare Focus

• The primary objective of public administration is to serve the public welfare and promote the common good. This distinguishes it significantly from private administration, which typically aims at profit maximization or specific organizational goals.

• Statement (i) correctly highlights this by stating that public administration is concerned with the formulation and implementation of public policies for public welfare.

Policy Formulation and Implementation

• Public administration plays a crucial role in both the formulation and implementation of public policies. Administrators provide expert advice during policy design and are responsible for translating policies into actionable programs and services.

• This process involves planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting (POSDCORB, a concept given by Luther Gulick and Lyndall Urwick).

Public Administration vs. Private Administration

• Statement (ii) is incorrect because public administration is not identical to private administration in all aspects. While they share some managerial techniques, their fundamental nature, objectives, and operational environments differ significantly.

Key Differences:

• Objective:

  • Public Administration: Public welfare, service, and social equity.

  • Private Administration: Profit maximization, market share, and organizational survival.

• Scope:

  • Public Administration: Broader, often monopolistic, dealing with essential services.

  • Private Administration: Narrower, competitive, focused on specific goods/services.

• Legal Framework:

  • Public Administration: Governed by extensive laws, regulations, and constitutional provisions. High degree of accountability to the public.

  • Private Administration: Primarily governed by contract law, company law, and internal policies, with accountability to shareholders.

• Accountability:

  • Public Administration: Direct accountability to the legislature, judiciary, and the public (through transparency and RTI).

  • Private Administration: Primarily accountable to owners/shareholders.

• Motivation:

  • Public Administration: Public service, equity, and rule of law.

  • Private Administration: Efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

• Financing:

  • Public Administration: Funded by taxes and public revenues.

  • Private Administration: Funded by private capital, sales, and profits.

Historical Context for Competitive Exams

• Woodrow Wilson: Often considered the 'Father of Public Administration' for his 1887 essay, "The Study of Administration", which advocated for a politics-administration dichotomy.

• Frank J. Goodnow: Furthered the politics-administration dichotomy in his work, separating policy formulation (politics) from policy execution (administration).

• Understanding these distinctions and the core purpose of public administration is vital for competitive examinations, as questions often test the nuanced differences between public and private sectors