Abstract This paper discusses four journal articles on public administration. The common theme of the articles is the tension between the private-sector model of management and the constraints of democratic governance. The paper examines how this tension impacts on the goals of public service. The paper concludes by arguing for a new approach to public administration, which is less tied to private-sector models and assumptions.
From the Paper "Public administration as a discipline has tended in the recent period to borrow heavily from specific concepts and a broader outlook drawn from the private sector..."
Abstract This paper argues in favor of public policy to implement needle exchange programs in order to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and AIDS. The paper also presents opposing views. The paper concludes with an examination of why the U.S. is one of few nations to oppose support for needle exchange programs.
From the Paper "In the face of America's long held belief that prohibition is the only way to combat drug use in this country, there is an additional fear that is involved in being a junkie. This fear being the contraction of HIV...."
Tags: public health, government, healthcare, syringes, blood-borne pathogens, addicts, intravenous drug use, epidemic
Abstract This paper looks at how schools are funded by taxes. It looks at the distribution of federal, state, local and district taxes and how they affect quality in education.
From the Paper "Although the United States Constitution does not make any federal provisions for public education, every state's constitution guarantees some level of free public schooling for its citizens. Each state governs its own public education system and determines how it will be financed. The federal government, state governments, school districts and schools all have some decision-making role in how the money is spent with substantial variation from one school district to another. The percentage of school funding collected from different tax sources differs considerably from state to state and traditionally..."
Abstract This paper presents an assessment of the economics of health care costs. The paper argues that the problem is a complex maze of related issues such as funding mechanisms, delivery structures and individual responsibility. Additionally, the paper recommends a national health care system for managing family health care costs that is based on universal access to health care.
From the Paper "Health care economics is entering another state of turmoil in the United States as the moderating effects of the managed care concept on increasing health care costs appears to have run its course. The Congress and state governments believed the promises of managed care proponents that managed care would lower health care costs dramatically and are resisting rapid increases in health care costs. Managed care companies are responding by dropping governmentally-funded patient groups including Medicare and Medicaid raising charges to..."
Abstract This paper examines the question of whether public management is more difficult than private management. The paper compares internal and external environments, discusses the purposes of public and private organizations and looks at the issue of accountability. The paper concludes that there is not a large difference between public and private management.
From the Paper "A long-standing popular belief holds that there are fundamental differences between public agencies and private agencies or firms. This belief has the further implication that management in public agencies is in some essential ways different from management in private firms. Specifically, the implication is generally that public management is a more difficult task operating under a broader range of internal and external constraints than is private management. Is this time-honored belief accurate or are..."
Abstract This is an opinion paper looking at whether the individual or society should pay for healthcare. The thesis of the paper is that a system of universal healthcare with strong incentives for individual responsibility is the best option. The paper argues that this type of system allows individuals to receive the healthcare they need, which ultimately benefits society, and also encourages people to take responsibility for the fiscal implications of their healthcare choices.
From the Paper "Is healthcare a right or a privilege? While, on its surface an issue of ethics, a practical view of this question begs an analysis of its financial implications. With the cost of healthcare to consumers increasing and fewer companies willing to pay for these increases, workers pay more. The corollary question arises as to who should bear the primary responsibility of paying for healthcare -- the individual or society? Many nations provide universal healthcare and others such as Canada, that previously did not provide it, are moving..."
Abstract "This paper discusses the efforts being made in order to improve healthcare quality in hospitals and the various agencies involved in these efforts. The paper discusses Malcolm Baldrige and his contributions to management of quality improvement. It also discusses the roles of various organizations in trying to improve quality healthcare.
From the Paper Abstract This paper looks at quality improvement in hospital healthcare in theUnited States and what is being done to promote it It first discusses thecontributions of Malcolm Baldrige in his establishment of methodologies forquality improvement then looks at the efforts of Quality ImprovementOrganizations QIO and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS to develop unified systems of quality care reporting by hospitalswhich is standardized nation-wide Some of its achievements are noted andplans for the future discussed The paper also examines a
Abstract This paper explores the National Health Service (N.H.S.) in the United Kingdom. In this study, the writer claims that the N.H.S. is in crisis. The writer explains that this crisis results from extensive progress in the field of medicine, together with high expectations of the N.H.S. to offer top health care, at no cost to the individual patient. In addition, this paper explores the quality of management within the N.H.S.
From the Paper "The N.H.S. has been in existence for many years. Each successive government has tried to reform the system in order to make it more efficient and effective. The N.H.S. is in crisis and the crisis results from the extraordinary advances in medical science, combined with expectations that the NHS will provide the finest health care anywhere at no cost to the patient. This paper explores how rationing reduces the quality of health care and the alternatives to rationing."
Tags: Quality of management in National Health Service United Kingdom. Quality, Health Care, Rationing, National Health Service, NIH, Rationing, Private health care providers, Managed Care, Commodity.
Abstract In this article the writer examines contemporary federalism with regards to education in America. The writer specifically discusses the 'No Child Left Behind Act' of 2001. The writer describes the historic federalist system and the New Federalism in this paper. The writer also examines the power of federal authority over education.
From the Paper "'Power: Who has it and who wants it more?' are two themes that resonate throughout the halls of government every day. Federalism, the division of powers between a central government and regional governments often causes struggles over the relative powers of each level of government. In the United States, where government is divided into federal state and local entities, each level exercises separate powers within their own spheres of authority. By establishing such a system the Framers sought to create ... "
Abstract In this article the writer discusses various ways that the media and the Goverment use language to describe terrorism and the war against it. The writer studies language used by the Bush Administration to enlist Americans in his war on terrorism.
From the Paper "While no single definition of terrorism has gained universal acceptance, terrorism can be defined as the use of violence or the threat of violence against civilians as a political social religious or ideological weapon to change the status quo through fear or coercion. Terrorism can be state sponsored or can be committed by non-government sponsored individuals or groups. William Greider suggests in 'The Nation' that when President Bush called Americans to enlist in the war on terror, very few Americans understood the consequences of this call to ... "
Abstract In this paper, the writer examines affirmative action. In this look at affirmative action, the writer confirms that if racial equality is to be achieved in the United States, some form of affirmative action plan must remain in effect. The writer claims that this has been proven in California and Texas, where the abandonment of affirmative action in higher education has resulted in smaller minority student populations at top-tier institutions.
From the Paper "The debate over affirmative action is unique in that it turns upon a philosophical paradox. The goal of affirmative action is after all ultimately to make itself unnecessary. In this affirmative action attempts to level the playing field at early stages in primary education, in social welfare programs etc. so that subsequent affirmative action at later stages in the work force at graduate schools etc. is unnecessary. Further affirmative action aims to bring about its own demise in other ways even at the earliest ... "
Tags: affirmative action, california, texas, equality of opportunity, egalitarianism
Abstract The writer discusses that the separation of church and state is a basic premise that guides the American country. However, in this paper, the writer examines how today, the Catholic church seeks to break down that boundary by using its weapons--the sacrament and the sermon--to influence politicians and private citizens alike. The writer discusses the influence of the political involvement of the church and expresses a belief that such involvement is wrong.
From the Paper "If ever there was a time to examine the role of religion in politics in America, it is now. On the heels of an historic presidential election in the United States, a new mandate has been issued by the American people and it is a mandate that is steeped-perhaps even forged-in religious dogma. Ideology is nothing new to politics however today the political involvement of the church, in what is ostensibly a secular society, is changing the agenda of the average conservative ideologue in America."
Tags: catholicicm, kant, didion, personal liberty, separation of church and state, secularism
Abstract In this article, the writer examines the concept of majority rules and minority rights in the U.S. Constitution. The writer gives some present day examples of controversies regarding these issues.
From the Paper "A basic principle of democracy is majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights which although seemingly contradictory are the very foundation of democratic government. Majority rule is a means of organizing government and deciding public issues without taking away the basic rights and freedoms of minority groups or individuals. Majority rule is spelled out in the ... "
Abstract In this article, the writer lookks at the matter of gay marriage in the United States. The writer discusses prejudices within the American society in this regard. Further, the writer discusses the importance of gay marriages to equality for homosexuals. The writer also looks at the view of the Pope and the Catholic Church on gay marriages.
From the Paper "Andrew Sullivan states that homosexual marriage can be discussed on many levels including social, societal, political and religious perspectives. One of his most important points is that any rational person considering this issue would have to concede that without the right to same sex marriage there cannot be social economic or political equality for homosexuals in America. He suggests that fear of homosexuals and homosexuality is one of the last prejudices that American society has not yet faced. He suggests that for any prejudice to be defeated ... "
Abstract This paper discusses how management theories have been applied to the running of police departments. The writer examines what mistakes have been made and what suggestions can be made in this regard. Further, the writer discusses the basics of management theory in the context of the modern criminal justice agency.
From the Paper "Recently the practice of studying the formal structure of business management theory has spread to the study of government agencies in an effort to understand what makes an organization effective. Although there are obvious differences between private businesses and government agencies, management theory attempts to bring a framework for the analysis of how effectively a particular government agency is managed. Management theory revolves around the study of organizational structures and how different structures can bring about different outcomes for the organization. The study of criminal justice organizations ... "
Tags: management theory, community policing, worker motivation
