History of Public Administration

 

The History of Public Administration

Public administration is a relatively new field of study, but its roots can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The first known public administrators were the officials who worked for the pharaohs of Egypt and the emperors of China. These officials were responsible for collecting taxes, managing public resources, and providing public services.

In the Middle Ages, public administration was largely decentralized. Local governments were responsible for most of the day-to-day tasks of government, while the central government focused on national defense and foreign policy.

The modern era of public administration began in the 18th century with the Enlightenment. Enlightenment thinkers believed that government should be based on reason and efficiency. They argued that public administrators should be trained professionals who could use their skills to improve the lives of citizens.

The first schools of public administration were founded in the United States and France in the early 19th century. These schools were designed to train public administrators who could meet the challenges of the Industrial Revolution.

The field of public administration continued to grow in the 20th century. The rise of the welfare state and the Cold War led to a demand for more public administrators. Public administration also became a more specialized field, with different subfields emerging to focus on specific areas of government, such as public budgeting, public personnel management, and public policy.

Today, public administration is a global field of study and practice. Public administrators work in all levels of government, from local to international. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks, such as developing and implementing public policy, managing public resources, and providing public services.

Public administration is a vital field of study and practice. Public administrators play a key role in ensuring that government is effective, efficient, and accountable to the public. They also play a role in promoting social justice and improving the quality of life for all citizens.

Reference:

• Frederickson, H. George. The Spirit of Public Administration. 2nd ed. Jossey-Bass, 1997.
• Kettl, Donald F. The Transformative Public Service: Achieving Excellence in Government. 2nd ed. CQ Press, 2009.
• Nalbandian, John. The Professional Public Administrator: An Introduction to Public Administration. 6th ed. M.E. Sharpe, 2015.