Public Administration Theory and Practice

Public administration theory is the amalgamation of history organizational theory social theory political theory and related studies focused on the meanings structures and functions of public service in all its forms. As a relatively new and applied field public administration is constantly adapting to changing socio-political and economic conditions and as a result is not easy to classify. The most popular approach to teaching public administration theory is to trace its evolution throughout time putting different theories in their historical context. The pursuit of effective public sector administration may be explained as a series of ideas each representing a step or increment towards a complete theory of public administration. Viewed over time they have helped build a substantial reservoir of knowledge. Similarly it is important to discuss theories and tenets of public administration from the viewpoint of their impact on the development of the field the rhetoric that justified their embrace by the public and the factors that shaped them. For this reason we find it useful to present five great ideas that shaped the field combining their historical importance and theoretical distinctiveness. Public administration is a subject of human inquiry with ancient roots. Contrary to present practice the ancients were preoccupied with governance of public affairs as opposed to business and very often as in Greece had disdain for commerce and management of business enterprise. Ancient empires created elaborate state structures and effectively operated an apparatus overseeing huge territories. This book is a comprehensive up-to-date textbook on the constantly changing and often complex world of this subject. Contents: • Public Administration: Meaning Nature and Scope • Organisation • Administrative Thinkers • Theories and Models of Comparative Public Administration • A comparative Study of the Administration • Indian Administration • Personnel Administration