The Science of Public Administration: Problems, Presumptions, Progress, and Possibilities

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Wright, Bradley E.
• 署名单位: University System of Georgia; University of Georgia
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.12468
• 发表日期: 2015
• 页码: 795-805
• 关键词: service motivation; transformational leadership; 5-FACTOR MODEL; performance management; attraction-selection; POWER DISTANCE; VALUES; personality; IMPACT; too

摘要

Nearly 70 years ago, Dahl noted the difficulty of constructing a science of public administration that was plagued by three interrelated problems: values, behavior, and culture. Underlying all three problems was the presumption that public administration could establish a set of universal principles independent of moral or political ends, individual human differences, or social influences. In discussing these three broad and easily accessible themes, Dahl did more than identify and critique the field's problems and presumptions. He also provided a road map to move the field forward and establish a science of public administration. Drawing on the framework provided by Dahl, this article argues that the field has made considerable progress in recognizing, if not addressing, each problem raised by Dahl. Even so, several current presumptions or omissions are also identified that, if challenged, can provide additional possibilities to advance the science of public administration.