Question

Which of the following statement(s) align(s) with E.N. Gladden’s definition of administration?

i. Administration involves caring for or managing affairs to achieve a conscious purpose.

ii. It is a cooperative human effort with a high degree of rationality.

iii. It focuses solely on the executive branch of government.

iv. It entails the systematic ordering of resources to prevent undesirable outcomes.

• A. Only i and iv
• B. Only i, ii, and iv
• C. Only ii and iii
• D. All the above (i, ii, iii, and iv)

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Only i, ii, and iv

Understanding E.N. Gladden's Definition of Administration

• E.N. Gladden was a prominent British academic and author known for his significant contributions to the study of Public Administration. His works often emphasize the practical and pervasive nature of administration in society.
• Statement (i) - "Administration involves caring for or managing affairs to achieve a conscious purpose." This aligns perfectly with Gladden's perspective. He viewed administration broadly as the organization and direction of human and material resources to achieve given ends, underscoring its purposeful and goal-oriented nature.
• Statement (ii) - "It is a cooperative human effort with a high degree of rationality." Gladden emphasized that administration is inherently a collective activity. It requires coordinated human effort and systematic, logical decision-making (rationality) to be effective. This distinguishes it from haphazard or individual actions.
• Statement (iii) - "It focuses solely on the executive branch of government." This statement is incorrect regarding Gladden's definition. Gladden's view of administration is much broader, encompassing activities in all branches of government (legislative, executive, and judiciary) as well as in private organizations. It's not confined to just the executive branch, which is a common misconception often associated with the 'narrow' view of public administration.
• Statement (iv) - "It entails the systematic ordering of resources to prevent undesirable outcomes." This accurately reflects Gladden's emphasis on the systematic and orderly arrangement of resources (people, money, materials) to ensure efficiency and achieve desired results while minimizing errors or negative consequences. It speaks to the managerial aspect of administration.
• For competitive exams, remember that Gladden's definition leans towards a broad view of administration, recognizing its presence and necessity in all organized human endeavors, not just governmental or public sectors.
• Gladden's work often highlighted administration as a 'universal process', essential for any organized activity, whether public or private.