Scientizing public administration or public administration in search for quality governance
By: CHAN, Hon S
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ArticlePublisher: New York : Marcel Dekker, 1996International Journal of Public Administration - IJPA 19, 2, p. 261-289Abstract: Through examining the megatrend of shrinking the state, marketizing and scientizing public administration, this article explores the intellectual foundations of the trend. The article argues that we would be doing ourselves disservice if we maintain that public administration is merely an extension of scientific knowledge, hence, implying that public administration deals only with empirical questions. A critical concern of the modern public service state is the quality of governance. This is significant because private activity cannot by itself resolve most of our vital problems. The quest for excellence is basically a search for quality governance. Public administrators are engaged in the formulation and implementation of policies that allocate resources, values and status in a fashion that is binding on society as a whole.
Through examining the megatrend of shrinking the state, marketizing and scientizing public administration, this article explores the intellectual foundations of the trend. The article argues that we would be doing ourselves disservice if we maintain that public administration is merely an extension of scientific knowledge, hence, implying that public administration deals only with empirical questions. A critical concern of the modern public service state is the quality of governance. This is significant because private activity cannot by itself resolve most of our vital problems. The quest for excellence is basically a search for quality governance. Public administrators are engaged in the formulation and implementation of policies that allocate resources, values and status in a fashion that is binding on society as a whole.
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