Elements of Public Administration

130 Pages·2015·0.78 MB·English

Biyani's Think Tank
Concept based notes
Elements of Public
Administration
[B.A.-Part-I]

Smita Khatri
Dr. Shiwani Bansal
Lecturer
Deptt. of Arts
Biyani Girls College, Jaipur
2

Published by :
Think Tanks
Biyani Group of Colleges

Concept & Copyright :
Biyani Shikshan Samiti
Sector-3, Vidhyadhar Nagar,
Jaipur-302 023 (Rajasthan)
Ph : 0141-2338371, 2338591-95 Fax : [phone]
E-mail : [email protected]
Website :www.gurukpo.com; www.biyanicolleges.org

Edition : 2011
Price :

While every effort is taken to avoid errors or omissions in this Publication, any

mistake or omission that may have crept in is not intentional. It may be taken note of

that neither the publisher nor the author will be responsible for any damage or loss of
any kind arising to anyone in any manner on account of such errors and omissions.

Leaser Type Setted by :
Biyani College Printing Department
Elements of Public Administration 3
Preface

I

am glad to present this book, especially designed to serve the needs
of the students. The book has been written keeping in mind the general
weakness in understanding the fundamental concepts of the topics. The
book is self-explanatory and adopts the “Teach Yourself” style. It is based on
question-answer pattern. The language of book is quite easy and understandable
based on scientific approach.
Any further improvement in the contents of the book by making corrections,
omission and inclusion is keen to be achieved based on suggestions from the
readers for which the author shall be obliged.
I acknowledge special thanks to Mr. Rajeev Biyani, Chairman & Dr. Sanjay
Biyani, Director (Acad.) Biyani Group of Colleges, who are the backbones and
main concept provider and also have been constant source of motivation
throughout this Endeavour. They played an active role in coordinating the various
stages of this Endeavour and spearheaded the publishing work.
I look forward to receiving valuable suggestions from professors of various
educational institutions, other faculty members and students for improvement of
the quality of the book. The reader may feel free to send in their comments and
suggestions to the under mentioned address.
Author
4
Syllabus of Public Administration
Scheme :

Two Papers
Min.Pass Marks 72 Max. Marks 200
Paper I 3 hrs. duration Marks 100
Paper II 3 hrs. duration Marks 100
There shall be two papers in all, and each paper shall be of three hours duration and of
100 marks. Each paper shall consist of two parts. There shall be twenty multiple choice
objective type questions one mark each in the first compulsory question. The second
compulsory question will comprise ten questions of two marks each. These will be short
answer questions. Answers should be of not more than twenty words. Marks may be
deducted if the word limit is exceeded. This part of the question paper will be given
maximum one hour duration and shall relate to all the three sections covering there by the
entire course.
The second part of the question paper shall be divided into three sections
comprising 6 essay type questions of 20 marks each
Candidates will be required to attempt 3 questions selecting one question from
each section. This part of question paper shall be of 60 marks

Paper-I: Elements of Public Administration

Section A
Meaning, Nature and Scope of Public Asministration , Importance of Public
Administration in Modern Society, Public and Private Administration. Evolution
of the study of Public Administration. Public Administration as a Social Science,
Relationship with other Social Sciences- Political Science, Economics, Sociology,
Law and Psychology, Approaches to the Study of Public Administration-
Classical and Humanistic.
Elements of Public Administration 5
Section B
Principles of Organization: Formal and Informal Organisation, Hiearchy, Unity
of Command, Span of Control, Coordination, Centralisation, Decentralisation,
Authority and Responsiblity
Chief Executive, Line and Staff Agencies, Supervision, Delegation Leadership,
Communication, Decision-making, Public Relations, Delegated Legislation

Section C
Personal Administration: Meaning and Nature of Bureaurachy, Civil Service and
its Role in a developing Society, Classification, Recruitment, Training, Promotion
of Civil Servants, Morale and Motivation in Public Administration.
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Content

S. No. Name of Topic
1. Public Administration
2. Public & Private Administration
3. Evaluation of Public Administration
4. Relationship of Public Administration
5. Approaches to the Study
6. Organisation
7. Hierarchy
8. Unity of Command
9. Span of Control
10. Coordination
11. Centralization & Decentralization
12. Authority
13. Chief Executive
14. Line and Staff Agencies
15. Supervision
16. Delegation
17. Leadership
18. Communication
19. Decision Making
20. Delegated Legislation
21. Bureaucracy
22. Classification
23. Recruitment
24. Training
25. Promotion
26. Motivation
27. Unsolved Papers 2011 - 2007
Elements of Public Administration 7

CHAPTER-I

C
Public Administration

Q.1. What is Administration?
Ans.: The English word 'administration' is derived from a combination of two
Latin words 'ad' and 'ministare' meaning 'to serve' or 'to manage'. Literally
the term 'administration' means management of affairs - Public or Private.
Administration has two essential elements i.e. a collective effort and a
common purpose. Thus administration can be defined as a co-operative
effort of group of people in pursuit of a common objective.

Q.2. Define Public Administration.
Ans.: Public administration is an aspect of the larger field of administration. It
exists in a political system for the accomplishment of the goals and
objectives formulated by the political decision makers. It is also known as
governmental administration because the objective 'public' administration
means 'government'.

Q.3. Do you agree that Public Administration studies only POSDCORB?
Ans.: No, we do not agree that public administration studies only POSDCORB.
In fact it is a combination of POSDCORB and subject matter view.
In POSDCORB, the estimates of only the top persons or managers are
included. POSDCORB view was given by Gullick. He believed that
administration consisted to seven elements POSDCORB stands for -
P - Planning
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O - Organizing
S - Staffing
D - Directing
CO - Coordinating
R - Reporting
B - Budgeting
Whereas subject matter view emphasizes on services rendered and
functions performed by an administrative agency.
POSDCORB view and subject matter view are not mutually exclusive but
complement each other. They together constitute the proper scope of
public administration.
Lewis Marriann considers them as two blades of a scissors.

Q.4. What is the importance of Public Administration in Modern Society?
Ans.: Public administration has become an essential segment of modern society
which has witnessed the emergence of what is called, by administrative
thinkers as 'Administrative State'.
This means that every activity of individuals from 'womb to tomb‟ is
regulated and controlled by the State agencies i.e. administrative agencies.
The following views expressed by various scholars clearly highlight the
significance of 'public administration in a society'.
L.D. White - Its nature, contents and scope - all go to make it the heart of
the problem of modern government.

Q.5. What is the difference between Administration, Organization and
Management?
Ans.: The three terms are used interchangeably. However, there is a specific
difference in their meanings. This distinction is made clear by William
schulze. He says, "Administration is the force which lays down the object
Elements of Public Administration 9
for which an organization and its management are to strive and the broad
polices under which they are to operate.”
An organization is the combination of the necessary human beings,
materials, tools, equipment brought together in systematic and effective
co-relation to accomplish some desired object.
Management is that which leads, guides and directs an organization for
the accomplishment of a pre-determined object.

Q.6. Why is modern State called an 'Administrative State’?
Ans.: Public Administration has become an essential segment of modern society
which has witnessed the emergence of what is called by administrative
thinkers as „Administrative State'. It means that every activity of
individuals from 'womb to tomb' is regulated and controlled by the state
agencies i.e. administrative agencies.

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10

CHAPTER-2

C
Public & Private Administration

Q.1. Differentiate between Public and Private Administration and also give
the reasons as to why the difference between the two is gradually
decreasing.
Ans.: Public Administration refers to the administration which operates in the
governmental setting. Private administration on the other hand refers to
the administration which operates in the non-governmental setting, i.e.
business enterprises.
The differences between public & private administration are :
(1) Political Direction : Public administration is subject to political
direction and control and this is the primary distinction between
the two.
(2) Breadth of Scope, Impact & Consideration : Private administration
cannot claim the breadth, scope and consideration of the public
administration. An organized government impinges upon and is
affected by practically everything that exists in our society.
(3) Public Accountability : Public administration is characterized by
public accountability from which private administration is free.
Public administration has to function in its environment which
consists of the press, political parties, pressure groups and so forth.
Thus public accountability and responsibility is the hallmark of
public administration in a democracy.