Question

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.

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

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only i, ii, and iv

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.