Key Approaches Toward Public Administration Essay
Approaches Toward Public Administration Paper
Compare and contrast key approaches toward public administration as detailed in assigned readings. Evaluate these approaches according to required readings and presentations for this week and a Biblical/covenantal model of statesmanship, leadership and organizational behavior. Consider the relevance of these approaches to your academic and professional work in public administration.
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Solution – Approaches to Public Administration Assignment
Public administration has various approaches, some of which are managerial, legal, and systems approach. The legal approach involves the structural and legal framework of public authorities and ensures that there is law and compliance in public administration. Public administrators are expected to enforce the law in public organizations, and using this approach, they can ensure adherence to laws and regulations as a way of holding organizations accountable and protecting citizens’ rights (Plant, 2018). The legal approach resonates with the biblical emphasis on justice, righteousness, and the need for laws to guide society (Romans 13:1-7). A covenantal model of leadership prioritizes justice, righteousness, and ethical practices so that the law is administered in a fair and just manner.
The managerial approach is quite similar to business management and involves managing and organizing the activities of public organizations. It stresses efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in order to obtain the best outcome. F
The managerial approach treats public administration similarly to business management, involving the managerial activities of public organizations. Using this approach, public administrators influence how an organization is run to promote efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity that help achieve high results. From a biblical perspective, the managerial approach aligns with stewardship principles mentioned in Luke 16:10-12, where leaders are called to manage resources wisely. The covenantal model focuses on responsibility, in which public managers should be more responsible to the people rather than focusing on financial or operational targets.
The systems approach views public administration as a subsystem within a wider system that includes political, social, economic, and environmental aspects. It focuses on coordinating the delicate relationships between various components of governance, which work together to resolve organizational problems and maintain the efficiency of the larger system. The systems approach aligns with the biblical perspective, as mentioned in Genesis 2:15, by recognizing that all creation is interconnected and that leaders must care for the welfare of the entire community. Responsible use of resources and effective leadership leads to the growth of society, which is evident throughout the Bible. Covenantal leadership is based on one’s understanding of what they do to the community and the outcome of their actions to the whole community, which supports the systems approach because the leader is required to ensure the welfare of his followers. In Jeremiah 29:7, leaders are called to govern in a way that reflects justice, peace, and care for the vulnerable.
In academic and professional practice in public administration, the managerial approach provides strategies for public officials who are interested in reforming the public sector to enhance efficiency in service delivery and resource utilization. Academic work is relevant to research on performance management and administrative conduct. On the other hand, the legal approach is most useful to those working in roles that involve public law, regulatory compliance, and enforcing laws, helping them understand the structures of governance to ensure accountability. In academics, the legal approach lays the ground for learning and understanding administrative law and ethics. The systems approach is especially beneficial for those who work on complex policy issues, like environmental sustainability and public health, as these aspects are interconnected and require an extensive analysis of different factors (Hijal-Moghrabi & Sabharwal, 2018).
The managerial, legal, and systems approaches are important in public administration, offering solutions to administrative challenges and an efficient way of effective governance and serving the public. Public administrators should aim to implement these approaches in their academic and professional work, guided by ethical and moral governance as depicted in the scripture.
References
Hijal-Moghrabi, I., & Sabharwal, M. (2018). Ethics in American public administration: A response to a changing reality. Public Integrity, 20(5), 459-477.
Plant, J. F. (2018). Responsibility in public administration ethics. Public Integrity, 20(sup1), S33-S45.