PAHS 051: Public Administration Lecture One: Definition and Scope

Dwight Waldo argued that a single, authoritative definition of public administration is possible.

The word 'public' is used to mean something that is open, communal, unrestricted and easy to have access.

According to Pfifner and Prethus, administration is defined as the organization and direction of human and material resources to achieve desire ends.

Berkley and Rouse (2008) view the word 'public' as referring to the government of a given area.

The word 'administration' emerged from the Latin word 'ministare' which means to serve or manage.

According to Simon et al, administration appears when two men cooperate to move a stone that neither could have moved alone.

Public administration involves only the detailed and systematic execution of public law, according to Woodrow Wilson.

Ghana's public administration system is primarily concerned with managing abundant resources for the benefit of the community.

Public administration is closely associated with numerous private groups and individuals in providing services.

In times of rapid changes and social crisis, public administration does not need innovative and timely policy formulation.