- The development and evolution of administrative institutions in the United States can be divided into distinct historical eras. Identify the main eras in the history of public administration in the United States. What issues and problems have continued to occupy the attention of practitioners and theorists? Would you say that the framers of the Constitution, in 1797, would approve or disapprove of the ways in which these issues and problems have been addressed in each of the various historical eras?
- The field of Public Administration has focused its attention on the ways in which certain basic administrative tasks and functions are carried out: organizing, personnel, budgeting, management, and policy making. Choose at least three of these tasks/functions and briefly outline the ways in which their theory and practice have evolved since 1797. (Be sure to identify key concepts and theories.) Is the practice of public administration a science or an art? Explain.
- A major approach to the study of American public administration concerns the notion of the ‘Politics/Administrative Dichotomy.’ Describe the key components of this concept, and identify the scholars and researchers who first identified and developed this concept. Would you agree or disagree that a separation of politics and administration currently exists in American government? Has such a separation ever existed in the administrative history of the United States? Is this concept a useful normative approach that administrators should adopt?
- Throughout the 20th Century and into the 21st Century, the term bureaucracy has taken on numerous, negative connotations and meanings, and has been used by aspiring politicians and political candidates to gain favor with voters. Why are bureaucratic organizations such easy targets for political aspirants? Do you think that the arguments made against bureaucracy and bureaucratic organizations are justified? Explain.
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