Public Administration Overview

A way for government agencies to show how their programs benefit society. Think of it as proving their value.

Examines fairness in how local services are delivered within different communities. Imagine how services are distributed to different parts of a city.

The process of distributing resources to different parts of a government agency. This can be a source of competition.

A way of organizing government work that emphasizes flexibility and collaboration. This model encourages temporary project teams that work together.

A system that brings together resources from different departments to form temporary teams for specific projects.

A key value in public administration, it emphasizes the importance of government serving the needs of everyone. This is like a 'we-are-all-in-this-together' approach.

Another important principle in public administration. It suggests that government workers should be qualified and impartial, not driven by personal biases. Imagine an unbiased professional working for the common good.

The way a government organization interacts with other groups and individuals outside of it, such as its community, stakeholders, and clients. Think of a government agency's connections to the world around it.

A strategy for promoting policies and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged populations, particularly those with limited resources or opportunities.

When a small number of individuals from underrepresented groups are included in a larger group or system to give the appearance of diversity without substantial change to the power dynamics.

The process of putting policies and programs into action, often involving a complex interplay of forces, actors, and pressures.

The extent to which an issue is considered important and urgent by the public, influencing the level of attention it receives.

The resources and influence that individuals or groups possess to implement their goals, often related to the ability to mobilize support and exert pressure.

A dilemma where two important goals, efficiency and responsiveness to people's needs, must be balanced. Governments often struggle to achieve both simultaneously.

The process of distributing goods and services to different groups in society.

A method of evaluating programs by comparing their costs to their benefits.

This approach focuses on efficient and economical management of public services. It emphasizes getting things done quickly and efficiently while keeping costs low.

This approach adds social equity as a core value to public administration. It prioritizes fairness and aims to make services accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income.

A concept in public administration where the composition of the bureaucracy reflects the demographic makeup of the population it serves.

This refers to giving more decision-making power to local leaders. It allows for more flexibility and responsiveness to specific needs at the community level.

A type of representation where the demographics of administrators reflect the population they serve, but not necessarily their interests.

This involves government agencies actively engaging with various stakeholders, including lawmakers, citizens, and interest groups. It promotes collaboration and inclusivity in decision-making.

A type of representation where administrators actively advocate for the interests of those they represent.

A method of problem-solving that involves using data, logic, and testing.

This refers to the process of changing how people interact within government organizations. It focuses on addressing emotions, conflicts, and relationships to improve how agencies function.

This approach advocates for expanding financial support for public services through grants and shared funding among different levels of government.

The practice of giving decision-making authority to lower levels of government or organizations.

Governments need strong leaders who can guide their teams and ensure that they are working effectively towards common goals.

A process where communities have a greater role in controlling decisions affecting their lives.

The difficulty in separating public and private management, often due to organizations operating in both spheres.

A system where government incentives, like financial aid, encourage cooperation, but do not force action from local governments.

A framework that analyzes implementation by focusing on players, strategies, resources, rules, and communication.

A major shift in civil service reform, emphasizing improvements in merit-based hiring, equal pay, accountability, transparency, diversity, and decentralization.

The lack of a clear definition and framework contributes to confusion surrounding public management practices.

Public management practices have been significantly influenced by concepts borrowed from business management.

New Town programs often face implementation challenges due to the complex interaction of various players, including federal, state, and local governments.

A system where employees in a government agency can be moved to different positions based on their seniority, even if they aren't needed in the new job.

Problems that lack clear definitions, solutions, or a single right answer. They often involve complex social and political factors.

Problems with clear goals and a clear path to solving them, even if the solution is unknown.

The first step in the planning process, involving setting goals for a policy and determining their order of importance. This is like a roadmap for action.

The process of developing detailed plans for how to achieve the objectives and priorities. This is like creating a detailed instruction manual for a project.

The way an organization manages its internal resources, including tasks like hiring, training, and motivating employees.

How an organization interacts with external groups and individuals, like other government agencies, the media, and the general public.