Process Questions:20 Marks
1. Which of the following definitions of public administration can be best
understood? Explain how you understand the definition. Just choose one.
For me it’s best to understood the public administration definition given by Herbert Simon,
D.W. Smithburg and V.A. Thompson which is “In its broadest sense, the administration can be
defined as the activities of group cooperating to accomplish common goals.” Administration
also called a technology of social relationships’. Thus, it is a common process to all group
effort, public or private, civil or military, large scale or small scale.
2. What are the views regarding nature of public administration? Give at least three distinctions.
There are two views regarding the Nature of Public Administration, which are the Integral and
Managerial Views. The Integral View, ‘administration’ is the sum total of all the activities,
manual, clerical, managerial, etc., which are undertaken to realize the objectives of the
organization (Henry Fayol and L.D. White). It includes the activities of all the persons engaged
in administration. Also, Integral View depicts all types of activities from manual to managerial,
from [Link] to technical. However, Managerial View of administration, the managerial
activities of people who are involved in planning, organising, commanding, coordinating and
controlling constitute Public Administration. This view regards administration as getting things
done and not doing things (Luther Gullick, Herbert Simon, Smithburg and Thompson). This
view excludes Public Administration from non-managerial activities such as manual, clerical
and technical activities. This also restricts itself only to the activities of the few persons at the
top.
The difference between the two views relates to the difference between management and
operation or we may say between getting things done and doing things.
3. How will you conclude regarding the scope of public administration?
Public administration, the implementation of government policies specifically, it is the planning,
organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling of government operations
4. Compare and contrast public administration and private administration.
Use the attached criteria for your reference...
Public Administration is bureaucratic whereas Private Administration is business like; Public
Administration is political while the Private Administration in non-political; Public
Administration is characterised by red-tape however the Private Administration is free from it.
II. Answer the following questions in form of video presentation.50 marks
1. Explain the common definition of public administration as “government in action.”
To be seen along with it is the ‘Public’ aspect of Public administration, which attributes a special
character and focus to it. So, public administration is government administration, government in
action, or a socio-economic and politico-administrative confluence, the focus being especially on
public bureaucracy.
2. Illustrate to show the difference of the following terms, administration, management and
organization?
Administration is the force, which lays down the object for which an organisation and its
management are to strive and the broad policies under which they are to operate.
Management is that which lead, guides and directs an organisation for the accomplishment of
pre-determined object. Organization is a combination of necessary human beings, materials,
tools, equipment and working space, appurtenances brought together in systematic and
effective co-relation to accomplish some desired object.
3. Make a diagram showing the scope of public administration.
Planning
Directing Organizing
Scope of
Public
Administration
Coordinating Staffing
Reporting Budgeting
4. Do research and create a table to show the difference between public and private administration.
Public Administration Private Administration
Governmental administration Concerned with private business
concerned with achieving state organisation.
purposes.
Relates to the activities carried out Management of private business
by Government. enterprises.
Bureaucratic Business like
Political Non-Political
Characterised by red-tape Free from excessive bureaucracy
