Questions and Answers
The proponents of the Separation School believe that politics and administration should work independently.
True
The Political School supports the idea of a clear division between elected officials and public administrators.
False
Political influences are believed to lead to corruption among public administrators according to the Separation School.
True
The Political School sees public administration as a separate entity from the political process.
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The Separation School advocates for a functional division to enhance bureaucratic effectiveness.
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Woodrow Wilson believed it was easier to run a constitution than to write one.
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Wilson argued that the real challenge of administration was how authority should be defined.
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The concept of 'politics-administration dichotomy' is associated with Wilson's ideas.
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Wilson maintained that administrators should not involve themselves in questions of politics.
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Wilson recognized that Public Administration was inherently political in nature.
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Study Notes
Separation School
- Advocates for a structural division of authority between elected and administrative officials to reduce political influence and conflicts.
- Emphasizes the hierarchical structure of administration to limit undue political pressures and promote conflict resolution in policy issues.
- Argues that political interference leads to corruption and decisions based on partisan considerations.
- Proponents believe important improvements can be achieved when politics and administration function independently.
- Highlights potential drawbacks of unrestricted interaction between politics and administration.
- Normative arguments focus on eliminating corruption and administrative tyranny; pragmatic arguments stress the need for effective political functions.
- Views the government as divided into two zones: politics (provides guidance) and administration (implements policies).
- Key values guiding public administration include neutrality, hierarchy, and expertise, referred to as "neutral competence."
- Neutral competence is defined as the ability to perform government work competently and objectively, detached from partisanship.
- Public administrators possess specialized knowledge, aiming to provide objective policy advice to elected officials.
Political School
- Represents public administration scholars advocating a broad policy role for administrators.
- Rejects the division between politics and administration, viewing them as interconnected.
- Positions public administration as a critical part of the political decision-making process.
- Administrative discretion is essential due to unclear legislation and limited resources for elected officials.
- Woodrow Wilson highlighted the importance of studying administration to create an effective governance system, emphasizing the need for systematic analysis of administration, rather than just constitutional principles.
- Wilson’s notion of the politics-administration dichotomy suggests that administrators focus on running the government rather than engaging in partisan politics.
- Proponents of this school argue against strict separation, emphasizing that public administrators should engage in policy advocacy and formulation.
- Advocates for administrators to evaluate the moral implications of policies before implementation.
- Maintains that public administration is instrumental in balancing powers among government branches and serving core values like liberty and equality.
- Argues that legitimacy stems from pursuing socially desirable goals rather than solely from legislative authority.
- Highlights the need for public administrators to build coalitions and interact with interest groups to enhance political effectiveness.
Interaction School
- Scholars analyze the interplay between politics and administration, suggesting a dynamic relationship rather than strict separation or complete integration.
- Acknowledges the complexity of governance where administrators may navigate political landscapes to enhance policy outcomes.
- This school reflects ongoing debates about the role and influence of public administration within the political process.
Summary
- The overarching debate between the Separation and Political Schools underscores the critical tension between autonomy and accountability in public administration.
- Ongoing discourse emphasizes the importance of administrators as both implementers and active participants in shaping policy within the political context.
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Description
This quiz explores the principles of public administration, focusing on the separation of powers between elected officials and administrative personnel. It assesses the effectiveness of a hierarchical organization in minimizing political influences and managing conflicts within public governance.
