Woodrow Wilson (Administrative Thinker)
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson’s contribution to the field of public administration may be summarized as :
§ “ The Study of Administration” traced the history of administration as a new development political science, presented the value of the study and indicated the methods by means which it ought to be carried.
§ “ The Study of Administration” was the result of Wilson’s search to find answers to the political abuses of the spoil system and finding ways of assimilation of European administrative systems into American democratic politics.
§ He emphasized the importance study of administration in the context of increasing complexity in society, increasing role of state and democratic nature of governments.
§ Wilson considered administration eminently a science and pleaded for the development of clear concepts of good administration.
§ He examined the relationship between politics and administration and considered them as separate activities at one level and interdependent at another. This vagueness lead to different interpretations of his views on politics and administration relationships.
§ He focused on the implementation aspects of the government and advocated the need for technically competent civil service based on merit.
§ Wilson emphasized the importance of comparative method, particularly learning from others about the ways of doing things without learning without learning their motives and ends; and
§ “ The Study of Administration” was too general, too broad and too vogue, as Wilson himself put it. It gave scope for different interpretations of Wilson’s views and also assessment of his contribution to the study of public administration. Looking in a historical context when the political debate was mainly on “who” should make laws and “what” the laws should be, his focus on “how” law should be ‘administered’ is a seminal contribution.
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ADMINISTRATIVE THINKERS
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