Public administration

People who work in public administration implement government policies and make sure they are effective.^[1] They plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and control government operations.^[1] The field of public administration combines elements of political science, management, and public policy.

Public administration involves making sure essential services are effective and efficient. Essential services address people's basic needs, like healthcare, education, and transportation.^[1]

Public administrators work in various sectors, including local, state, and federal governments; nonprofit organizations; international organizations; and education. They play a crucial role in policy-making, budgeting, human resources management, and decision-making processes. In universities, professors of public administration study government decision-making, analyze policies, and think about how to improve policies and programs.

A group of public servants at a meeting

The importance of public administration

As a stabilizing force in society

Public administration aims to improve the stability and well-being of a society. It does this by:

Maintaining law and order
Ensuring that governance is effective
Managing public resources
Implementing policies
Providing essential services and serving people's needs

In a democratic system, even though elected officials change after regular intervals, administration remains more or less the same. This ensures that government plans and policies are not interrupted or changed every time new officials are elected.

As an instrument for solving social problems

Public administration also focuses on solving social problems like poverty, underdevelopment, unemployment, and extremism. It does this by managing public resources, maintaining law and order, and providing essential services.

As a way to give service and protection

Public administration involves serving, protecting, and ensuring the rights of regular people. It aims to ensure security, safety and order within society. It also provides protection and relief to the people in the wake of social upheavals, epidemics, natural disasters, social disturbances, violence, and poverty resulting from social evils, diseases, and economic problems.

Public Administration Media

Woodrow Wilson, portrait used on the Nobelprize website.
Luther Gulick (1892–1993) was an expert on public administration.
The costly Vietnam War alienated U.S. citizens from their government. Pictured is Operation Arc Light, a U.S. bombing operation.