Resources Assignment 1 (only 4 pages) 1. Dubnick, M. J. (2018) ✓ Solved

This week, you will learn about the foundations of public administration: the history, different theories, and the role ethics plays in public administration. The study of public administration prepares the civil servant to implement government policy and academic disciplines for working in the public sector. The goal of public administration is to advance management and create policies to guarantee the government can function properly and efficiently.

Public administration consists of elected public servants such as a county sheriff, judge, and county commissioner, but also unelected public servants such as budget directors in a city, human resource administrators in a county, or state mental health directors. In general, public administrators work in public departments and agencies at the local, state, and federal level. The roots of public administration can be traced to the scholars Woodrow Wilson, Max Weber, and Frederick Taylor during the early part of the 20th century. Weber’s work set forth the rational-legal model of bureaucracy while Taylor advanced a model of scientific management and together, these theories informed public administration literature for the first half of the 20th century.

A change in the theories occurred in the middle of the 20th century when Maslow and McGregor approached the inclusion of the private sector. With the advent of more humanistic management models, the field of public administration began to evolve rapidly to incorporate ideas from scholars such as Maslow and MacGregor, who wrote primarily for the private sector. McGregor and Maslow contributed to the development of the management and motivational theory. McGregor is well known for his Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X explains that people are work-averse and need a working environment where employees are motivated via authoritative direction and control.

Employees have no ambition, do not want to take responsibility; therefore, they need constant supervision and control to ensure productivity. Workplaces applying this model require strict quotas, discipline, and provide rewards for performance to maintain the desired productivity (Miller, 2016). Theory Y is the practical application of Maslow’s Humanistic School of Psychology applied to scientific management. Theory Y argues that humans will work on their own to meet their individual needs for self-respect and achievement. There is no need for strict supervision and discipline.

Managers will encourage self-motivation to achieve company-wide goals and objectives. Theory Y is the most popular model for management and is implemented by Google and Facebook encouraging individual creativity and self-realization (Miller, 2016). Ethics are an important component in public administration. Ethics define moral conduct necessary for good business practices while ensuring that the special needs of the community, state, or nation are met. Ethics are the framework to hold the administration accountable to the public by providing guidelines for integrity, thus creating trust in the community.

A strong leader or administration follows a code of ethics setting a standard of high morale in their daily work and decision making. The President’s Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform recommended in 1989 that individual agency standards of conduct should be replaced with a single regulation applicable to all employees of the executive branch. President Bush signed Executive Order 12674 on April 12, 1989. This Executive Order established 14 basic principles of ethical conduct for executive branch personnel and directed the Office of Government Ethics to establish a single comprehensive, concise set of executive branch standards for ethical conduct (United States of Government Ethics, n.d.).

Paper For Above Instructions

The study of public administration encompasses various aspects of governance, enabling civil servants to effectively implement government policy. This paper will explore the historical foundations of public administration, the evolution of theories, and the significance of ethics within this domain. Understanding these elements is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of governance and public service delivery.

Historical Foundations of Public Administration

Public administration has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient civilizations where rulers employed public servants for tax collection and governance. Despite its long-standing existence, early public administration was often marred by practices such as nepotism and favoritism, which undermined its integrity. Over time, however, significant thinkers began to shape the field, notably Woodrow Wilson, who advocated for civil service reform in the late 19th century. Wilson's principles emphasized the separation of politics and administration, aiming to enhance efficiency and accountability in public service (Wilson, 1887).

Wilson, along with contemporaries like Max Weber, laid the groundwork for what would become the rational-legal model of bureaucracy. Weber's bureaucratic theory, which highlighted the importance of a structured and rule-based approach, contributed significantly to the administrative practices that are prevalent today (Dubnick, 2018). Meanwhile, Frederick Taylor's scientific management approach introduced efficiency-centered methodologies into public administration (Dubnick, 2018). These early scholars' contributions established a foundation that informs contemporary public administration practices.

Theories Influencing Public Administration

The mid-20th century witnessed a shift in management theories as scholars like Abraham Maslow and Douglas McGregor began incorporating psychological principles into public administration. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y presented distinct perspectives on employee motivation and management styles. Theory X posits that employees are inherently unmotivated and require rigorous supervision, while Theory Y asserts that individuals seek self-actualization and will perform optimally when trusted and given autonomy (Miller, 2016).

This evolution reflected a broader transformation in organizational management, transitioning from strict, authoritative models to more humanistic approaches that prioritize employee well-being. In modern workplaces, organizations such as Google and Facebook exemplify the practical application of Theory Y, fostering innovation and creativity by empowering employees (Miller, 2016). Consequently, understanding these motivational theories is fundamental for public administrators aiming to cultivate effective teams and enhance operational efficiency.

Role of Ethics in Public Administration

Ethics plays a pivotal role in public administration, as it establishes the moral framework necessary for fostering trust and accountability. Public servants are expected to adhere to a code of ethics that governs their conduct, ensuring that their decisions reflect the best interests of the populace they serve. Ethically sound practices are critical, especially for law enforcement officials who must embody integrity and public trust in their interactions with citizens.

The development of ethical standards can be traced back to various ethical theories such as virtue ethics, deontology, and consequentialism. Virtue ethics focuses on moral character and emphasizes traits like honesty, compassion, and courage, which are vital for public officials (Cline, 2018). Deontological ethics stresses adherence to rules and duties, providing a foundational basis for the behavior of public servants. Finally, consequentialist perspectives evaluate the outcomes of actions to determine their ethicality, which can be pivotal in complex decision-making scenarios (D’Aleo, 2018).

Conclusion

In summary, the principles that underpin public administration have evolved significantly over the years, shaped by foundational theories and ethical considerations. By acknowledging the historical context and embracing contemporary theories, public administrators can better navigate the complexities of governance while adhering to ethical standards that foster public trust. The future of public administration lies in the balance of maintaining efficient operational frameworks while upholding the highest ethical practices to ensure accountable governance.

References

• Dubnick, M. J. (2018). Demons, spirits, and elephants: Reflections on the failure of public administration theory.
• Miller, S. (2016). Theory X and Theory Y. Salem Press Encyclopedia.
• United States Office of Government Ethics. (n.d.). Employee standards of conduct [Web resource].
• Wilson, W. (1887). The study of administration. Political Science Quarterly, 2(2).
• Cline, A. (2018, June 11). 3 Types of ethical systems [Web article]. ThoughtCo.
• D’Aleo, P. (2018). Public administration and ethics: A problematic co-habitation. Juridical Current, 21(2), 21-25.
• American Society for Public Administration. (2017). About ASPA [Web resource].
• Keegan, B. (2018, July 6). Ethics in public service: The story of migrant children [Web resource]. American Society for Public Administration.
• Bozeman, B., & Su, X. (2015). Public service motivation concepts and theory: A critique. Public Administration Review.
• Cline, A. (2018, June 11). Normative ethics and public administration: Defining ethical behavior in the public sector.