define public administration
refers to a field of practice (or occupation) and a field of study (a discipline)
the study and practice of the tasks associated with the conduct of the administrative state
the coordination of individual group efforts to carry out public policy
implementation of policy and role of bureaucrats in the formulation of programs and policies
define public bureaucracy
is the system of authority, people, offices and methods – in other words, an organizational form – that government uses to achieve its objectives
What is the purpose of reading the current federal budget
firstly, it provides you with an indication of the government’s current spending priorities on programs and services and how much these promises are expected to cost; and secondly, it will give you a picture of how much money the government intends to generate in revenues through various forms of taxation as compared to its overall expenditures on programs, services and interest charges on the public debt.
public administration is greatly influenced by
a number of environmental factors, including globalization, technological change and demography, but perhaps none is more important than the financial position of the government.
the 2012 budget has what goals (11)
- create jobs - 900 million
- support research education and training - 600 mil
- invest in natural resources responsibly - 180 mil
- keep taxes low
- improve conditions for farmers/fishers - 55 mil
- employment insurance - 450 mil
- aboriginals - 300 mil
- infrastructure like via rail and ports - 400 mil
- supporting community/family - 500 mil
- social and retirement
- return to balanced budgets
what are two major areas of government activites
provision of services and enforcement of regulations
list differences and similarities of public and private administration
- overall mission of public is to give a service where private is to turn a profit
- public operates less efficiently than private following the first difference
- public gets finds they don’t have to try to be as efficient and there isn’t competition - public sector cares more about accountability because most of the public has a stake, private sector only has to please shareholders
- human resource management is more complicated and rigid in public - harder to hire and fire government employees.
- the fact that public administration is in the public eye, everyone has access and media pays attention
what two characteristics of government account for the differences in the public and private administration
- vast scope and complexity of government activities and 2. the political environment within which these activities are conducted
where was the first degree program in public administration
dalhousie university
when did the study of public admin flourish
late 1960’s
how does globalization affect public administration
governments need to remain competitive in a global market
worldwide values puts national cultures at risk
globalization on global warming efforts
how does technological change affect public administration
computing processing information make it easy for citizens to communicate with government
e-government providing services without needing an actual building
it can overwhelm us and we may not have the personnel to deal with it
issues with invasion of privacy
how does political culture affect public administration
values attitudes and beliefs we hold about political life are changing people are less confident in the government we also want to have more of a say
we need reform
how does financial position affect public administration
debt from spending more on services and policies than revenue generated
many changes had to be made to get back on track like cutting programs and firing public servants
how does demography affect public administration
the changing age composition for example as elderly numbers increase so will needs on public healthcare and housing
increased participation of women in the labor force which has implications for childcare and family related services
multicultural communities mean we need to attract different minorities to working within government in order to be representative
how does the legacy of past reform affect public administration
early 20th century merit principal
demands in 1960’s for change
new public management
public sector reform left a legacy that means people recognize change can happen in public administration but it is difficult to achieve
how many people are employed in the public sector
1/5 people are employed by some public agency or institution
how have categories of public jobs changed
more in management technical or professional and a lot less in clerical which results in people needing more schooling
list5 major issues and themes of public administration
- power of bureaucracy
- the right organizational form
- crowded world of public administration
- end of the bargain
- competitive relations
how is the power of bureaucracy an issue in public administration
a lot of elected officials while educated have no training for their duties
and a quick turnover in elected officials
bureaucrats have a ton of education and with expertise and experience may work to allow them to take over elected positions
how is the right organizational form an issue in public administration
proposals to help gov meet demands of society include such things as less hierarchy and fewer rules and procedures and motivate public servants
what is the issue with the crowded world of public administration
more interactions relations globalization and media connections
went from a small village of connections to a big city
how is the end of the bargain an issue for public administration
relation between ministers and public servants bargain where servants offer advice and guidance to ministers for secure employment
it was a foundation for good government in Canada
ministers do not want to protect servants anymore and so they are seeking advice outside the government - public servants are upset
how does competitive relations affect public administration
public servants competing with one another to pursue different values and goals instead of cooperating toward the same purpose
