New Public Administration is a term that refers to a movement in public administration that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is characterized by a focus on public interest and public service, the use of scientific and technical knowledge in decision-making, and a greater emphasis on accountability and transparency. The origins of New Public Administration can be traced back to the works of scholars such as Dwight Waldo and Frank Marini, who were critical of the traditional model of public administration and sought to reform it. In this blog post, we will explore the 5 key features of New Public Administration and consider some of the criticisms that have been leveled at this approach.
Historical context of New Public Administration
The term “New Public Administration” was first coined by Dwight Waldo in the late 1960s. Waldo was critical of the traditional model of public administration, which he saw as being too focused on bureaucracy and efficiency, and not adequately attuned to the needs and values of citizens.
Waldo and other proponents of New Public Administration argued that public administrators should be more responsive to the needs of the public and more accountable for their actions.
The emergence of New Public Administration was also influenced by the broader social and political changes of the time. The civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, and the feminist movement all played a role in shaping the ideas and values of New Public Administration.
In addition, the increasing complexity of modern societies and the growing use of scientific and technical knowledge in policy-making also played a role in the development of this approach.
5 Key features of New Public Administration
The five features of New Public Administration are as follows:
Public Interest and Public Service
One of the First features of New Public Administration is its emphasis on public interest and public service. This means that public administrators should be guided by a sense of duty to serve the public and to act in the public interest. This may involve working to address social and economic inequality, promoting environmental sustainability, or ensuring that government programs and services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Reliance on Scientific and Technical knowledge
Second feature of New Public Administration is its reliance on scientific and technical knowledge in decision-making. This means that public administrators should use evidence and data to inform their policy choices and should be open to new ideas and approaches. This can involve working with experts in a variety of fields, such as economics, sociology, or public health, to develop and implement policies that are based on the best available evidence.
Accountability and Transparency
New Public Administration also emphasizes greater accountability and transparency in government. This means that public administrators should be open and honest about their actions and decisions, and should be willing to accept responsibility for their mistakes. This can involve things like making information about government programs and services more widely available to the public, and establishing mechanisms for citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions.
Decentralization and Participation
Fourth feature of New Public Administration is its emphasis on decentralization and participation. This means that decisions about policy and program implementation should be made at the local level, as much as possible, and that citizens should be actively involved in the decision-making process. This can involve things like community-based planning and citizen participation in policy-making.
Use of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches in policy-making
Finally, the fifth feature of New Public Administration advocates for the use of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches in policy-making. This means that public administrators should be open to ideas and perspectives from a variety of disciplines and sectors, and should be willing to work with partners from different parts of the government, as well as with non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
Criticisms of New Public Administration
While New Public Administration has had a significant impact on the field of public administration, it has also faced criticisms from both traditionalists and progressives. Some traditionalists argue that New Public Administration is too focused on efficiency and ignores the political nature of public administration.
They argue that public administrators should be more attuned to the needs and values of politicians, and that decisions about policy and program implementation should be made at the highest levels of government.
Progressives, on the other hand, argue that New Public Administration does not go far enough in addressing social and economic inequality. They argue that public administrators should be more actively involved in promoting social justice and addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.
Some progressives also argue that New Public Administration is too focused on technical solutions and does not adequately consider the broader social and political context in which policies are implemented.
Conclusion
In conclusion, New Public Administration is a movement in public administration that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s and is characterized by a focus on public interest and public service, the use of scientific and technical knowledge in decision-making, and a greater emphasis on accountability and transparency.
It also emphasizes decentralization and participation, and advocates for the use of interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches in policy-making. While it has had a significant impact on the field of public administration, it has also faced criticism from both traditionalists and progressives.
Understanding the key features of New Public Administration is important for practitioners and scholars of public administration, as it helps to inform the way that policies and programs are designed and implemented.