NEW PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Introduction: -In the evolution of Public Administration one more stage is the emergence of “New Public Administration.” During 1960s it was found that the science of Public Administration displayed unawareness of numerous socio-economic and political problems as well as its inadequacy to offer any solution to the problems.

Emergence

In 1967, American Academy of political and social science organized a conference in Philadelphia. The topic was “The Theory and practice of Public Administration: Scope, objectives and methods.” In this conference participants expressed their views and after discussion following points emerged -

1.      Bureaucracy should be studied structurally as well as functionally.

2.      Definition of the subject is as difficult as de-lineation of its scope.

3.      A hierarchical view of organizational authority needs to be changed; administrators must view workers as “coordinates” rather than ‘subordinates’,

4.      Policy and political considerations are replacing management concerns as the major focus of public Administration.

5.      Future administrators should be trained in professional schools. Public Administration courses should emphasis not only administrative organization and procedures but also in interdisciplinary approach.

6.      Public Administration has not been able to deal with societal problems.

Conclusion of the discussion was - Public Administration should be viewed as an academic discipline, as a field exercise and as administration in the public interest.

In 1968 in Minnow brook conference Dwight Waldo expressed following points about new Public Administration.

1.      What is the proper terrain of Public Administration?

2.      What are the logics of inquiry appropriate to the terrain?

3.      What is the social relevance of knowledge in Public Administration?

In 1971, Frank Marini published a book ‘Towards a new Public Administration’ New Public Administration emphasis on the following themes:-

1.      Rejected the value neutral view

2.      Less generic and more public

3.      Stress on social equity

4.      Anti-bureaucratic, anti-hierarchical, anti-technical.

5.      Socially conscious and client oriented view.

6.      Stress on Decentralization of administrative process.

7.      Stress on qualitative transformation.

1.      Rejected the value neutral view -

The new Public Administration made clear its basic normative concern in administrative studies. It rejected the value neutral view taken by behavioral political science.

2.      Less generic and more public -

New Public Administration stresses on innovation and change. Hence, it takes more public and client oriented view.

3.      Stress on Social equity -

The protagonists of new Public Administration state that the distributive functions and impact of governmental institutions should be Public Administration’s basic concern. The purpose of public action should be the reduction of economic and social disparities and the enhancement of life opportunities for all social groups. They take action-oriented stand and said that Public Administrators should work for the removal of the wrongs of society.

4.      Anti-bureaucratic, anti-theoretic and anti-technical -

To serve the cause of social equity is to actively work for social change. The attack is on the status-quo and against the powerful interest entrenched in permanent institutions.

5.      Take client-oriented and socially conscious view -

In the third - world countries where Public Administration is in dire need of basic, qualitative transformation. New Public Administration displays an intense concern for relevant societal problems.

6.      Stress on Decentralization of Administrative process -

New Public Administration gives importance to Institutional pluralism. Functions, responsibilities should be distributed in many parts.

7.      Stress on qualitative transformation -

It stresses ethics and values. It lays emphasis on change. The study of formal organization, its structure and processes is of secondary importance to the new theorists. According to this new approach the most important need of the times is to be alive to the contemporary issue and problems with a view to finding ways and means for their solution, and to have organizational change to suit the changing times.

Conclusion -Public Administration of the state will become more meaning and useful with these characteristics of new Public Administration.