Definition of new public administration
The New Public Administration (NPA) is a movement in public administration that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by a shift away from traditional bureaucratic approaches to governance. The NPA emphasizes a more humanistic, participatory, and responsive approach to public administration, with a focus on improving the quality of life for citizens.
The core principles of the New Public Administration include:
- Humanism: NPA emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior, values, and needs in public policy-making and administration.
- Participatory governance: NPA encourages citizen participation and involvement in the decision-making process, recognizing that citizens have a stake in the outcomes of public policy.
- Responsiveness: NPA emphasizes the need for public administrators to be responsive to the needs and concerns of citizens, rather than simply following rules and procedures.
- Flexibility and adaptability: NPA recognizes that public organizations must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in their approaches to problem-solving.
- Decentralization: NPA advocates for decentralization of decision-making authority, allowing for more local control and autonomy.
- Collaboration and networking: NPA emphasizes the importance of collaboration and networking among public, private, and non-profit organizations to achieve common goals.
- Ethics and values: NPA emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making and the need for public administrators to be guided by a set of core values, such as fairness, transparency, and accountability.
The New Public Administration movement was influenced by various theoretical perspectives, including:
- Human relations theory: This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and relationships in organizations.
- Participatory theory: This perspective emphasizes the importance of citizen participation and involvement in decision-making processes.
- Systems theory: This perspective views organizations as complex systems that interact with their environments.
- Public choice theory: This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the behavior of individuals and groups in the public sector.
The New Public Administration movement has had a significant impact on the field of public administration, influencing the development of new approaches to governance, policy-making, and organizational management.