Theory Report Paper

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R M Bittick, MPA, PhD

Associate Professor

Political Science Department

Sam Houston State University

PADM 5381: Dynamics of Public Administration
Module 08: What is Public Administration Theory in America? The Possibilities of Theory.

This week…

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This week…

PREFACE TO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTERS 1 – 3: WHAT IS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THEORY IN AMERICA?

PADM 5381: Dynamics of Public Administration

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Preface to Public Administration

Context for Theory:

  • Ch. 1: What Is Public Administration Theory In America?
  • Ch. 2: The Peculiar “Stateless” Origins of Public Administration Theory.
  • Ch. 3. Creating a Temporary American State (and the Strange Administrative Theory That Resulted).

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THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THEORY PRIMER
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION:
THE POSSIBILITIES OF THEORY

PADM 5381: Dynamics of Public Administration

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Why do we need theory in PA?

  • Great human events…
  • PA in the US…
  • A good theory:
  • Systematic pattern of inquiry:
  • Guides us on which facts to present, how to order these facts, and how to interpret the facts
  • All theories have weaknesses
  • Greater conceptual clarity

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Why do we need theory in PA?

  • Multiple Theories – no one paradigm
  • PA is not Physics
  • A theory of PA is a “science” in that
  • Definable, describable, replicable, cumulative
  • However, applying theory can be an art
  • Theories can sometimes be combined as long as the assumptions do not contradict each other

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The Uses of Theory

  • To Describe:
  • Real-world events (connects theory to practice)
  • Recognize that all descriptions are
  • Abstractions
  • Distortions of reality
  • Relative to the circumstances
  • Goal: to see

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The Uses of Theory

  • To Explain:
  • What happened? What is happening?
  • Goal: understand
  • To Predict or Estimate
  • Patterns, probabilities, likely outcomes, not specific results
  • Error
  • Changing times
  • How useful is a theory?

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The Uses of Theory

  • Precision and Estimation:
  • The more a theory is precise, the narrower the range of phenomena covered:
  • Goal: parsimony – explain a lot with a little.
  • Theory – 3 meanings:
  • Hard Sciences: rigorous testing of predictive theorems using observable and comparable data – the “science”
  • Social Sciences: ordering of factual material through definitions, concepts, and metaphors to promote understanding
  • Normative: theories of what ought to be.

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Useful & Reliable PA Theory?

  • Traditional v. Behavioral (i.e. positivist) approaches
  • Positivism: separate facts from values (Waldo – Simon debate)
  • J David Singer: “Science is not a substitute for insight, and methodological rigor is not a substitute for wisdom…
  • Max Weber: positivist – interpret action in terms of subjective meaning.
  • Is reality socially constructed?
  • Law of the Instrument

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Some Contemporary Theories of PA

  • Think of each as a “lens” by which to view public administration
  • How useful is the theory?
  • There is a lot of overlap and duplication among the theories.
  • Some can be combined to provide more insight.

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Theory

CLASS PAPER #3:
THEORIES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
INSTRUCTIONS

PADM 5381: Dynamics of Public Administration
Module 09: Theories of Public Administration

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Four Analytic Steps

Practice

Public Administration / Public Management

Public Policies

or

Administration Policies

Such as Political Theories /

Organizational Theories /Behavioral Theories / Management Theories

or other

Theories

Beginnings

Human Nature

Human Relationships

Physical World (cosmos)

Ends

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How to examine models

Literature Review – what has already been written/discovered

Unit of Analysis – the “thing” you are studying

Level of Analysis – see next slide

Assumptions - givens

Implications/Expectations – what should happen given #4

Extensions

Value Added

Defend Argument

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Next week…

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09 Thursday Oct 18th Topic: Theories of Political Control of Bureaucracy Assigned Readings: Frederickson et al, ch. 2 Stillman ch. 5. Woodrow Wilson, “The Study of Administration.” Political Science Quarterly, vol. II, no. 2, July 1887, p. 197-222. Recommended Readings: Stillman ch. 4. Assignment: Paper #3 Instructions - Should public organizations be run as a business?

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That’s all for now.

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08 Thursday Oct 11th

Topic: 1. What is Public Administration Theory in America? 2. The Possibilities of Theory.

Assigned Readings: Ø Stillman chs. 1-3 Ø Frederickson ch. 1. Assignment: 1. Paper #2 due; and, 2. Theory Report Instructions.

08

Thursday

Oct 11

th

Topic: 1. What is Public Administration Theory in America? 2. The Possibilities

of Theory.

Assigned Readings:

Ø Stillman chs. 1-3

Ø Frederickson ch. 1.

Assignment:

1. Paper #2 due; and,

2. Theory Report Instructions.

Levels of Analysis. Global System

(the global interaction of individuals, organizations, & nations without regard

to national boarders)

International Relations

(relations between two or more nation-states)

Nation-state (close assoc. of people + a defined territory + rule by a common sovereign)

Organizational Level (people grouped together to work to accomplish a common mission)

Roles of individuals

(the position individuals have in an organization or society)

Individual

(a specific person)

Society

(a culture; population(s); etc. within or between a nation-state)

Levels of Analysis.

Global System

(the global interaction of individuals, organizations, & nationswithout regard

to national boarders)

International Relations

(relations between two or more nation-states)

Nation-state

(close assoc. of people + a defined territory + rule by a common sovereign)

Organizational Level

(people grouped together to work to accomplish a common mission)

Roles of individuals

(the position individuals have in an organization or society)

Individual

(a specific person)

Society

(a culture; population(s); etc. within or between a nation-state)