ipl-logo

Public Choice Theory In Public Administration

2091 Words9 Pages

The administrative branch of government, also referred to as the civil service or bureaucracy has always been vital to the state’s survival. Essentially, the study of “Public Administration” relates to the functions and actions of these said administrators. L. D. White emphasized, “Public Administration consists of all those operations having for their purpose the fulfilment of public policy as declared by authority”. White’s definition is evident through the operations of specialised state agencies which are geared towards “policy implementation, thereby serving the needs of civil society.”
Characteristics of public administration include “implementation of public policies, connections to state activities and acknowledgement of the aspirations …show more content…

“Public Choice theory originated with the works of scholar Adam Smith in his publication”, “Wealth of Nations” (1776) which laid the foundation for this neo-classical economic theory to be constructed. Public choice theory is, “a neo-classical economic theory applied to the public sector seeking to connect micro-economics to politics by viewing the actions of citizens and public servants as self-interested producers and …show more content…

When one considers the bureaucracy a mere decade ago and what it has since become, the changes may be deemed drastic. It can also be said that work including both criticisms and further development should not be discontinued on either Public Administration Nor Public Choice Theory as they both seek to explain and assist in better operations of the bureaucracy.
Through the course of this study we can now understand, Public choice theory provided a way in which we can analyze the public-sector organization. Although there are justified criticisms of public choice, they remain minimal in relation to other courses. The emergence of rational choice
Agreeing with Shugart II it is also my belief that “Institutional problems demand institutional solutions.” He provided an easy to understand example stating, “If democratic governments institutionally are incapable of balancing the public budget, a constitutional rule that limits increases in spending and taxes to no more than the private sector’s rate of growth will be more effective in curbing profligacy than “throwing the rascals

Open Document