Woodrow Wilson's "The Study of Administration"

Paper Summary:

This paper critically analyzes the administration policies and ideas set forth in an essay by President Woodrow Wilson entitled "The Study of Administration". The paper describes Wilson's thoughts about using ministrant (function of the government) and constituent ideas to represent political and apolitical branches respectively and relates that constituent functions were given very important tasks, such as the protection of liberty, life, and property, while ministrant functions were necessary for advancing societal interests. The paper concludes that Woodrow Wilson attempted to outline a coherent and somewhat revolutionary idea about public administration and politics and how each should be separate, yet work together.

From the Paper:

"Wilson was determined to make reforms and labeled areas that were functions of the government "ministrant" and those that were not, or were apolitical, he labeled "constituent" (Clements 320). These constituent functions were given very important tasks, such as the protection of liberty, life, and property, while ministrant functions were necessary for advancing the societal interests (320). Although these labels appear to be incorrectly given as ministrant areas were given what really appeared to be political functions such as labor regulation, communications, transportation maintenance, education, and conservation efforts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bowman, James S., and Rabin, Jack. Politics and Administration: Woodrow Wilson and American Public Administration. London: CRC Press, 1984.
• Clements, Kendrick A. "Woodrow Wilson and Administrative Reform." Presidential Studies Quarterly 28.2 (1998):320-325.
• Wilson, Woodrow. "The Study of Administration." Political Science Quarterly 2.2 (1887): 197-222.

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• Analytical Essay # 28113 : "The Study of Public Administration"
• Analytical Essay # 127403 : "Presidency of Woodrow Wilson"

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