Abstract This paper explores the development of a public administration theory. It discusses the components that make up the theory of public administration and develops its own components to enhance the system. In addition this paper discusses other perspectives on what ingredients help to develop a good public administration theory.
From the Paper "Even in the earliest records of the most ancient and basic social systems, there is confirmation of decisions being made and executed concerning issues of governance within society. As the idea of public administration was developed and extended, the breadth and power of administrative systems grew. The growth of these basic social systems became increasingly more elaborate and the philosophies of political systems became linked with the theory of public administration intended to employ policy decisions of ruling governments."
Abstract This paper examines the human resource criteria for the proposed federal agency, The Homeland Security Department. It looks at the history and characteristics of the merit system, as well as considers the political environment and the history of the debate and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. History of The Merit System
3. Characteristics of the Merit System
4. Merit System Reform Human Resources and the Homeland Security Department
5. Reactions to the Homeland Security Department
6. Bibliography
From the Paper "Debate is currently underway in response to a proposed bill calling for the creation of the Homeland Security Department. This department is designed to integrate the various federal agencies that contribute to national security. One cause of debate is the human resource implications of the new system. This system asks for a flexible approach to human resources, but as will be seen, this is not a new concept. Human resources in the public service has been an issue for decades, yet for the last century the public service has been based on a system known as the ?merit system.? "
Abstract This paper examines the present restrictions that forbids gays from enlisting in the U.S. army. It compares this stance with the prohibition of women in combat units, which has subsequently been lifted. The writer shows how many now consider women to be an asset in the military. The author explains how the homosexual community hopes that this trend of acceptance will be extended to them as well.
From the Paper "The question of whether gays should be allowed in the military involves complex arguments not just on the issue of fairness to gays and others in a democratic society but also on the role of the military and any special concerns that have to be considered when creating policy for the military. The issue has been much discussed in recent years and is similar in tone to the argument formerly raised for admitting women into the military, though there are significant differences as well. Some of the primary reasons given for keeping women out of the service have also been advanced in a modified form for keeping gays out of the military, so the experience the military has had with women is instructive."
Tags: military, homosexual, discrimination, equality, combat, navy
Abstract The paper records the establishment of the first firefighting unit in New Amsterdam consisting of four men and their buckets and explains their roles and duties. It explains the expansion of this group to include night watchmen called Prowlers. The paper describes the first two fire engines that the city employed and the establishment of the volunteer ?Fire Department of the City of New York". The paper details how the department continued to expand and progress and how additional firefighting systems and tools were implemented over time in order to serve and protect the residents of New York City. The paper concludes with a description of the role played by firefighters when terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers on September 11.
From the Paper "In order to combat the major problem of "rowdyism" at fire scenes, and to prevent persons who were not firemen from entering the fire lines, in 1855 the Common Council designed a badge to be conspicuously displayed by every fireman while on duty. The firemen were then required by law to wear their badges. Each badge was made of metal and bore a number to be kept in the fire department's records as a means of identifying owner (Journal)."
From the Paper "This research examines the validity of the statement: "there is more ethical accountability in local government than at the federal level." This issue will be addressed first by describing the movement toward developing ethical codes for governmental officials, followed by an analysis of the "reinventing government" movement that has heightened the accountability of local governments.
Talking about "ethical issues" is easier than defining "ethics" to everyone's satisfaction. As subjective judgments of competing values are involved, individual interpretations are characterized by continuing disagreement, ambiguity, and uncertainty. However within societies there tends to be acceptance that ethical issues are linked to a code of conduct. In the case of business associations and government bodies, this ..."
Examines theory and practice in the Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations, abuses of power, political and sexual scandals and the role of the media.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 23 sources, 1999, $ 71.95
Abstract "The purpose of this research is to examine the issues concerning ethics in government. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which the subject of government-related ethics issues have achieved importance, and then to discuss the variety of views, some of them controversial, surrounding such subsidiary topics as a hierarchy of ethical priorities as against the priorities of governance.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the issues concerning ethics in government. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which the subject of government-related ethics issues have achieved importance, and then to discuss the variety of views, some of them controversial, surrounding such subsidiary topics as a hierarchy of ethical priorities as against the priorities of governance.
There appears to be an inherent tension between the idea of democracy and that of ethics in governmental principles and priorities in the modern period. Boundaries between democratic values, ethics, and power to influence government seem blurred. De Tocqueville famously remarked about 1830s America that successful foreign relations demands scarcely any qualities democracy is noted for but almost all it is deficient in (De Tocqueville ..."
From the Paper "Introduction
The media pays close attention to interest rates, noting when the Federal Reserve Board's Open Market Committee meets, and the stock and bond markets react to real or anticipated changes in interest rates. Yet many consumers do not understand the interest rates discussed by the Fed and the media; what consumers do appreciate is that many mortgages and other loan rates are based on these figures. This research explores how the Federal Reserve conducts monetary policy, and examines the monetary policy of the last several years.
Background
The Fed's mission is to protect the integrity of the nation's money by providing a healthy banking and financial system that is consistent..."
From the Paper " This research presents a discussion of police supervision and leadership. Police supervision is an increasingly complex task, as both professional demands on police officers and public expectations steadily rise.
Although the need for law and for law enforcement in some form is as old as human society, the full-time professional police force is a relatively recent innovation; the first regular civil police force, the London "Bobbies," was established only in the 1800s. For another hundred years, the standards of training, performance, and conduct for police officers remained limited (Osterloh, 1975, vii). Today, however, society both expects more from the police and places greater constraints on them."
From the Paper " This research examines the phenomenon of homelessness in the United States from a public policy perspective. Following this introduction, the homeless in the United States are identified demographically. The causes of homelessness are then examined. Following the examination of the causes of the phenomenon, actual and proposed solutions to the problem are reviewed and evaluated. In the final discussion, the effects on the general population of the plight of the homeless are considered, and a policy action to deal with the problem is recommended.
WHO ARE THE HOMELESS IN AMERICA?
Both the number and the demographic composition of the homeless in the United States are matters of dispute. Such disagreements occur for reasons of both societal structure, and (...)"
From the Paper "The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has provided an important step forward in terms of services for the disabled. However, this legislation was not created in a vacuum. In fact, it represents decades of struggle toward equality of access and opportunity for disabled Americans. The movement for the rights of the disabled was first organized in the years following the Second World War. However, it did not become a part of America's legislative history until the 1970s. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 did not deal directly with disabled persons; nevertheless, that act helped pave the way toward the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Rehabilitation Act has been called "a kind of Bill of Rights for American disabled people". As important as that act was, it still did not provide complete equality for the ... "
From the Paper " The U.S. airline industry was deregulated de facto by the policies of the Civil Aeronautics Board from 1976 to 1978, and, subsequently, de jure by Congress with the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, based on the rationale that market forces would provide the impetus for increased and sustained competition between carriers, which would further translate into vastly improved quality and quantity of service for the consumer, and at significantly lower cost--a process known as contestability theory. According to Borenstein, for many economists, however, deregulation was simply the rejection of some 50 years of "incredibly inefficient regulation" (53).
The Carter administration actively promoted the deregulation of the airline industry as it had the trucking industry and financial institutions. The Reagan administration's approach to.."
This paper analyzes ethical, public policy and political issues surrounding California Proposition 187's (a measure that denies illegal immigrants access to public education and to all health services save emergency care) passage and its possible effects
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 13 sources, 1995, $ 63.95
From the Paper "On November 8, 1994, California voters enacted ballot Proposition 187, a measure that denies illegal immigrants access to public education and to all health services save emergency care. The winning margin was 59 percent. Although implementation of the measure was blocked by an injunction on November 16, scarcely a week after the vote, the measure has already had a number of reported effects, ranging from increased racial harassment of Latinos to the failure of an anticipated increase in illegal immigration from the interior of Mexico to materialize, in spite of that country's economic crisis.
More generally, the controversy over Proposition 187, which was only sharpened by passage of the measure, has brought ... "
Abstract This paper analyzes and examines the FBI's practices and compares it to Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy. Weber provided a theory regarding model bureaucracy that is utilized by many corporations and individuals today. The FBI is an organization that epitomizes Weber's theory of model bureaucracy. This paper discusses the shortcomings of the FBI and concludes with recommendations for improving the FBI's bureaucracy.
From the Paper "In comparing and contrasting the FBI's goals, objectives, and practices to Weber's model bureaucracy, numerous issues should be examined. First, do the FBI's real objectives differ from its stated goals and principles? Historically, the FBI's stated goals and principles are to ensure national security and serve the public. While the FBI ardently remains committed to pursuing and maintaining these objectives, often times, the FBI becomes so bogged down in bureaucracy that its real objectives become clouded and differ from its stated goals."
Abstract This paper defines this act which deals with health insurance portability, mental health coverage and length of hospital maternity stays. The paper explains who is covered by this new act and discusses in detail different titles of the law. It discusses HIPAA's limitations and lists what the act does not cover. It provides some basic information about understanding the act and discusses eligibility issues. The paper concludes with how this act specifically effects physicians.
From the Paper "According to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, (AFSCME) Department of Public Policy, the law consists of several basic components, Including ?restrictions on pre-existing condition exclusions; nondiscrimination on the basis of a person's health status; guaranteed availability and renewability of health coverage; establishment of a Medical Savings Account (MSA) "pilot" project; modification of COBRA health care continuation rules; provisions dealing with health care fraud and abuse; requirements for employers who offer mental health coverage; requirements for insurers paying for postpartum maternity stays."
Abstract This research takes a look at the U.S. Social Security system, and asks the question whether privatization would provide a better approach to retirement for Americans than the current structure. It then examines social security system in Chile by way of contrast and analyzes the two for their effectiveness.
From the Paper "The so-called "baby boomers," one of the largest generational groupings in American history, are nearing the age when they will be able to collect Social Security benefits. When that happens, the ratio between those individuals contributing to Social Security and those receiving it will decline significantly. As a result, many have expressed concern about how Social Security can be funded over the long-term, and several different proposals have been made by politicians and economists alike."
