Classical Theory of Public Administration
There have been several discussions and arguments regarding whether public administration can be categorized as a Science or as an Art. During our discussion of the topic earlier, we had come across authors and social scientists who vehemently supported the cause that public administration was a science indeed and amongst the most notable supporters of […]
Basic Workplace Ethics for an Organization
Let us go through some workplace ethics: Rules and regulations ought to be same for everyone. Everyone needs to attend office on time irrespective of their designation, distance of their home from the workplace, salary or status. An individual cannot come to office late just because he is the team leader and his team is […]
Understanding the Risk Management Process
In order for businesses to run smoothly, risks need to be identified and managed. This is especially true in our increasingly volatile global economy. The risks involved, for example, in project management are different in comparison to the risks involved finance. This accounts for certain changes in the entire risk management process. However the ISO […]
The Political System – Meaning and Important Concepts
A Pillar of Democracy The political system in any country is that part of the state apparatus that is in charge of the legislature and the executive. It is the practice in democracies to appoint politicians in the legislature and executive to administer the country. The political system is one of the pillars of modern […]
Political Economy Approach to Public Administration
We have read about the famous Wilsonian dichotomy of politics and administration and after the Second World War the diminishing relevance of this dichotomy. The above reference is vital to be kept in mind to understand this topic which brings together the science of politics and economic together to gain a detailed understanding of the […]
In the previous section we read about the Weberian Model of Bureaucracy and its various aspects, however like all models this one too has its share of criticism and dissection performed by scholars and subject matter experts. The critics of the Weber model said that his theories of bureaucracy heavily discounted the human aspect in theories and that it could work only in a controlled and ideal environment and was removed from reality.
The standard structures and code of ethics which were the characteristic of the public administration studies carried out in the beginning of the last century underwent major changes after the Second World War.
The Weberian models and the change in attitude towards the public administration had brought many welcome changes in the bureaucracy in the early half of the century. The authoritative, corrupt and unresponsive bureaucracy was made to turn around.
As Warren Bennis the social scientist had emphatically prophesized that every age evolves its own administration and bureaucratic functions in accordance with its needs, customs and traditions and which remains relevant for them and for only that time.
When a new age arrives, the systems, traditions, administrations and bureaucracies are recreated, realigned and reorganized to suit the changes. A very good example was Riggs approach to the Weber model, he was aware of the fact that the Weber model shall not work for the developing countries which came up after the Second World War.
The administrative structures in the developing countries did not enjoy the autonomy assumed in the Weberian model. Also, that in developing country, the realm of the work of public administration extended much beyond mere administration and involved a lot of work in the areas of development and upliftment of the society. The Governments were now working more as the Welfare state which cannot fit within the limitations of the Weberian model.
In the present times with the advent of technology in all realms of life, it has become a commodity which can be exchanged for tangible goods. The shrinking time and distance ensures that the information travels around the globe within seconds and the organizations both Government and private, across the globe do not live in rigid walls anymore.
The technical and managerial skills and expertise required at various level of public administration and bureaucracy has changed manifolds. The increasing education, the internet and the social media, the globalization has ensured that everything is transparent and under spotlight for all times.
Bureaucracy is becoming more and more efficient with lesser response time despite of being added with array of responsibilities and duties.
The organizations are restructured to ensure greater autonomy and mobilization within organizations. The inter-departmental transactions; coordination and cooperation are being improved using technologies like ERP or Enterprise Resource Planning.
The way the government functions in many modern democracies has also changed. The structures and roles have become flexible; the democratic administration has found its way into public institutions and organizations, the inclusion of people and their opinions and ideas etc are some of the new developments.
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