Power, Institutions, and the Role of Public Administration

Paper Summary:

The paper states that public administration is crucial to the achievement of developmental aims and that it is substantially inextricable from its wider governance and societal structures and social milieus. The paper relates that an important unit of analysis is the nature of institutions and the "inherently" perceived phenomenon of power dynamics. The concept of power is important in understanding the intra- and inter-organizational political dynamics and reality of public institutions. The paper further states that it is crucial to understand the nature and role of public administration in society in light of globalization and changing role of the state. Lastly, the paper looks at the evolving role of public administration as an instrument of the state in "serving" citizens.

Outline:
Power and Institutions
Intergovernmental Relations: Bargaining and Negotiating
Public Administration in Democratic Governance
UNDP Governance Characteristics
Role of Government
Development Goals (MDGs)

From the Paper:

"Thus, there is an imminent need to provide for a more balanced and holistic perspective of power in institutions so as to mitigate its predatory consequences and ensure positive implications on current normative trend espousing respect for human rights and rights of minority. The benign conceptualization of power dynamics in political institution, in a way, has a terrible effect on policies and public administration as it would seem espousing for institutionalized discrimination and oppression while benefiting others (usually those holding power or associated with them)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Agranoff, Robert and Mguire, Michael (2004). " Another Look at Bargaining and Negotiating in Intergovernmental Management". Journal of Pubic Administration Research and Theory, Vol. 14, No. 4.
• Moe, Terry (2003). Power and Political Institutions. Presented at Yale Conference on Crafting and Operating Institutions April 11-13, 2003.
• Moe, Terry (1984). "The New Economics of Organization." American Journal of Political Science 28: 739-77.
• O'toole, Jr, Laurence J.; Meier, Kenneth J., "Public management in Intergovernmental Networks Matching Structural Networks and Managerial Networking". Journal of Public Administration Theory and Research. Vol. 14, No. 4.
• Peters, B. Guy and Piere, Jon (2003). "Introduction: The Role of Public Administration in Governing. Handbook of Public Administration. SAGE Publication. London.

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