PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION &

THE PUBLICPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 1B

OUTCOMES

• Differentiate between public, private and government sectors• Identify the domain within which the public service exists• Understand & explain the various government

interventions

HOW DOES THE PUBLIC INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION?

• As clients and customers

• As Regulatees

• As Participants

• As Litigants

• Street-level Encounters

• As Contractors

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE

• The individual in society• Everyday interactions • Many things once done by individuals or family's now done by

the State• One-way (downward) flow of commands (individual can only

give information)• Social action vs bureaucratic action

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE

• The individual in a political system• The individual (voter) is far removed from exerting direct

control over government• Citizens dormant regarding most decisions made about them –

participation not equal to subjection• Democratic citizen or bureaucratic subject?• Low voter turnout – little political influemce• Voters have little trust in government

THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE

• The individual in the economy• The government controls a large share of the economy• This makes many people economically reliant on

government• Government gets more control over the individuals life • “The road to serfdom”

DISCUSSION POINT

• The womb to tomb State

THE PUBLIC’S EVALUATION OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• A complex issue• Public distrusts government (yet) public would rather have

government programmes than tax cuts

THE TRADITIONAL MANAGERIAL APPROACH TO THE PUBLIC

• Maximise efficiency, economy & effectiveness

• Depersonalise service – “case management”

• Use of an ombudsman

• Do what is cost-effective to improve quality of interaction

IMPROVING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• A one-stop-shop approach (integrated service delivery)• Simplified appeals process• Taking a more individual (human) approach• Effectiveness at the expense of economy

THE NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT APPROACH• Views the public as customers• Emphasis on effectiveness, efficiency & cost reduction• Customer service concept delivers benefits as it focuses on what

customer wants & highlights expenditure that produces results and that which does not

• The problem is services are not market driven – use surveys to determine needs & wants• Limited users & political considerations in determining

• Not all customers have harmonious interests but must be served• Who are the customers?

WHO IS THE (NPM) CUSTOMER?

• Wide ranging• Government employees and contractors• Welfare recipients• Taxpayers• Citizens etc

THE POLITICAL APPROACH TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• Emphasis on values of representation, responsiveness & public accountability• Provide a means for public participation without which no

public “ownership”• Participation promotes community & political integration• Participation promotes legitimacy of government

EXAMPLES OF NPM• Direct participation in government

• School governing bodies

• Ward committees

• Client centred administration

• Important when customer unable to represent themselves

• Children

• Mentally ill etc…

• Co-production

• Joint provision of public services by public agencies and consumers

• Recycling programmes

• Neighbourhood watch etc