Charles E. Beard states that administration is both a subject of study (science and philosophy) and an activity (practice of administration competent to discharge the functions of civilized society). He further states, “Administration is the science of contemporary civilization. There is no subject more important than the subject of administration. The future of civilized life and even, I think, of civilization itself rests upon our ability to develop a science and philosophy and practice of administration competent to discharge the function of civilized society”. Therefore, it is pertinent to study the importance of Public Administration as a subject of study and as an activity.
Importance of Public Administration as a Subject of Study
C. Merriam states that “Administration is an evolution of another human technology leading to man’s adoption to his complex environment”. The statement not only reminds Woodrow Wilson‟s that the increasing complexities of society have been responsible for the growing functions of the state but rather refers to complex conditions under which the administration has to deliver its role. Obviously, how the administration will discharge its role and in what direction the function will be effectively performed mainly depend on the understanding of the administration’s need, principles, techniques and conditions determining its operation. Wilson believed that the object of administrative study was to discover what government could properly and successfully do and how it could do things with the utmost efficiency and economy.
Therefore, research and understanding in the field of public administration have always been significant in catering to the needs of and delivering services to citizens. It is well understood, and governments across the world appointed study groups, committees, commissions, etc., to enquire into administrative matters and to bring administrative reforms.
Marshal E. Dimock states: Administration is now so vast an area that philosophy comes close to being a philosophy of life. In simple words, quality of life is determined by the capacity and capabilities of the governance of the society concerned. Therefore, as Dimock pointed out, “It does not take much thought to realize that popular government can only be made competent enough through proper administration to survive the complexities and confusion of a technological civilization”. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand not only the philosophy and policies devised for the betterment of society but also to understand and assess how those are likely to be delivered to the people concerned.
Besides, feedback has always been important for framing and reframing a state’s policies, programmes and strategies; therefore, it is essential to study the administration as a cooperative effort on the part of society to arrive at proper tools and strategies based on past experiences. The subject provides that kind of wisdom to those concerned.
Ordway Tead defined “Administration is a moral act and administrator is a moral agent”. The study of the subject provides for the values, principles, norms and code of conduct for governing the act of administration.
Brook Adams considers that “Administration is an important human faculty because its chief function is to facilitate social change and to cushion the stock of social revolution.” How and in what way is the answer to this question searched in the study of the ideology of the state, political philosophy, and its administration?
Public Administration as an Activity:
Public administration has become an essential and dominant part of society as it plays an important role in people’s lives. W.B. Donham, underlying its significance, states that “If our civilization fails, it will of administration.” C.P. Bhambri states, “With the breakdown of machinery of Public Administration, civilization itself shall go to pieces”. It means that the Public Administration brings continuity and sustainability to society. The violent changes in administration are exceptions, and the co-existence of old and new orders has always been a valued norm of the administration.
Public Administration as Basis of Government:
Edmund Burke states, “Without proper management, your commonwealth is no better than a scheme on paper and not a living, active, effective constitution. Administration is there under all situations. There would be no existence without administration”. Alternatively, the government can be operative in the absence of legislature or judiciary but cannot be imagined without administration. Thus, administration is an essential base for the existence of government.
Public Administration as a Tool for Delivering Services:
Nigro believes that “The real core of administration is the basic service which is performed for the public”. Modern governments under the welfare philosophy deliver a number of services, especially in the areas of health, education, recreation, sanitation, social security, etc. The performance of the government is normally evaluated in terms of the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy ensured while performing functions to deliver these services.
Public Administration as an Instrument for Implementing Policies:
Modern governments go a long way in formulating and adopting sound policies, laws and regulations. It should not be forgotten that such policies, laws, etc., are not merely printed papers. Such paper declarations of intent are translated into reality by public administration, thus converting words into action and form into substance.
Public Administration as an Instrument of Social Change and Economic Development:
Public administration’s role as a change agent is particularly crucial in developing nations. At present, the state is expected to work to accelerate socio-economic change and not to be a passive agency to maintain the status quo.
Technical Character of Public Administration:
The present-day government is expected to provide various services to its population. The increase in the number of functions undertaken by the government requires highly specialized, professional and technical services. Modern public administration usually represents a galaxy of all of a nation’s occupations.
According to Gerald Caiden, public administration has assumed the following crucial roles in contemporary modern society:
- Preservation of polity;
- Maintenance of stability and order;
- Institutionalization of Socio-Economic changes;
- Management of large-scale commercial services;
- Ensuring growth and economic development;
- Protection of the weaker sections of society;
- Formation of public opinion; and
- Influencing Public Policies.