management - public affairs ASSIGNMENT S

My  Second  Assignment  going  to  be:-­‐   Unit  2:  Key  Ideas   Description     In  each  unit  with  assigned  readings,  class  members  post  discussion  of  "key   ideas,"  one  for  each  assigned  reading.  The  key  ideas  assignment  is  intended  to   encourage  reflective  reading  and  informed  discussion.     A  key  idea  addresses  what  the  student  finds  to  be  an  important  or  useful   concept.  Each  key  idea  entry  describes  the  key  idea,  then  may  assess  its   importance,  strengths  and/or  weaknesses,  practical  application,  or  points  of   interest  or  confusion.  It  can  be  useful  to  illustrate  key  ideas  by  briefly  linking   them  to  news  events,  societal  conditions,  or  personal  experience.     Key  ideas  are  about  specific  concepts  from  a  portion  of  a  reading,  though   sometimes  they  are  central  to  an  entire  reading.  Key  ideas  entries  do  not   summarize  entire  assigned  readings  or  the  posted  course  notes  for  the  unit.  Key   ideas  should  be  chosen  from  different  readings,  or  from  different  chapters  within   a  reading.  Students  should  avoid  repeating  ideas  from  unit  materials  posted  by   the  professor.     Posting  and  Format     Key  ideas  for  the  unit  are  typed  or  pasted  directly  into  a  discussion  thread,  as   one  assignment,  no  later  than  11  p.m.  Central  on  Wednesday.  Each  key  idea   should  be  discussed  in  approximately  150-­‐200  words  of  narrative  (not  including   quotation  or  lists),  separated  into  paragraphs  where  appropriate.     Each  key  idea  is  labeled  with  the  name  of  the  key  idea,  author  of  the  source   reading,  and  page  number(s)  of  the  key  idea.  (For  example:  “Administrative   structure  in  the  United  Kingdom,  Peters,  pages  129-­‐132,”  or  “The  city  manager   form  of  government,  Judd  and  Swanstrom,  pages  96-­‐97.”)     Neither  parenthetic  citations  with  author  and  date  nor  a  reference  list  need  be   included  with  the  key  ideas  entries.  However,  parenthetic  citations  for  page   numbers  must  be  given  for  quotations  and  to  show  locations  of  ideas  from  the   readings  (showing  location  is  not  necessary  if  the  key  idea  appears  on  only  one   page).  Excessive  quotation  and  lists  should  be  avoided;  concepts  should  usually   be  summarized  in  the  student’s  words.     Class  members  should  post  thoughtful  and  substantive  replies  to  the  key  ideas  of   at  least  two  other  class  members  each  unit.  These  replies  are  due  by  11  p.m.   Central  on  Friday.  Additional  dialogue  posts  are  welcome.  When  appropriate,   the  professor  will  offer  substantive  comments  or  suggestions  for  improvement  in   format  or  discussion  of  key  ideas.          

This is an example for my second assignment: “one of my classmates post this yesterday”

WK2 Key Ideas Discussion

Key Idea #1: Depersonalization of the Administration, Peters, pages 156-157 This concept was an interesting one, due to the cultural nature of certain policies (i.e., foreign trade deals). Further when Peters (2010) highlights what might happen when or if the structure of bureaucracy is forced upon another culture. Additionally, from a personal standpoint, the applications of certain policies do not work if the “host” culture is not consulted. This sentiment is echoed by Peters who argues that communication regarding core values in Western bureaucracies (i.e., “uniform behavior and client treatment”) is not the non-Western value (Peters, 2010, 158). What is clear from the dialogue given regarding the depersonalization of the administration is that a good communication should be the first step to easing the dysfunction which might result.

Key Idea #2: Network Theory, Peters, p. 174-176 This concept struck a memory – no pun intended – regarding the use of network theory to recall a memory, increase political exposure, and so forth. While the text seemed to present a rather unsatisfactory viewpoint of the actual benefit of network theory and its use within bureaucracy, the concept behind its inception is clear. Interest groups and other actors need to have their interests heard in order to have policies made; therefore, they have to make contact with others – either with similarly minded individuals or those who may conflict with their interests (Peters, 2010). From an interesting viewpoint, it seems the more branches of an interest groups network the better and more often the “benefits” would come into existence. What is trying though is that the debate over the same definition given to community, one that I believe should imply two different meaning.

Key Idea #3: Implementation of Policy, Peters, p. 206-208 This has always been of interest due to the various “red tape” hidden in many policies which become law. For example, when Common Core was instituted in our university, we had to take training on how to motivate students to come to class – this was a component of the common core as the policy was listed for our department. However, I digress. Here again we are dealing with a communication between two parties, what remains is that the politics of the policy often impact the when, how, and who of the policy more than the actual organization intended. In other words, political pressures dictate how one implements goals, take action for/against a policy, and even stagnates the government and society. Peters (2010) highlights several ideas regarding the lacking implementation of policy to be a contemporary issue one that must be to blame for superfluous policy that do not resemble the initial goal of the initial discussion or even the official document!

Warm Regards,

MiKi

Word Count: 400 +/- References

Peters, B. Guy, 2010. The Politics of Bureaucracy: An Introduction to Comparative Public Administration. New York, NY: Routledge.