Public administration and public policy: old perspectives, new directions

Article Abstract:

It has become conventional wisdom to separate analysis of the forming of policy from the more pragmatic study of its administration. Early theorists believed that strict separation would encourage good governing. There followed an attempt to discern scientific principles of administration. But it is a fallacy to believe that the two are not interconnected. Policymakers frequently rely on data and initiatives compiled by administrators. The disciplines would be better served if they renewed interest in studying the work of the other.

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Evaluating public policy: the administrative role

Article Abstract:

Public administrators should become involved in policymaking from the beginning, or the policies developed might be impossible to carry out or to evaluate. This requires administrators to develop political skills along with technical skills, in order to work successfully with politicians, who are often either unskilled at writing policy guidelines or who have their own agendas. An analysis of such involvement is given for child welfare policies on state and national levels, and for Nebraska's mental retardation services.

Practice, Professional government workers, Professional government employees

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Teaching public policy in a public administration program

Article Abstract:

The past three decades have seen the serious study of public policy disappear from public administration programs. Yet, if public administration education is to remain healthy and relevant, it is time that it turn to public policy to achieve the balance it needs. Students of administration can gain much from studying the general principles which they will later seek to apply to real-life situations.

Education, Study and teaching, Policy sciences

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