Difference between public administration and new public administration

Public Administration and New Public Administration (NPA) are two distinct approaches to understanding and managing public organizations and services. Here are the key differences:

Public Administration (PA):

  1. Traditional approach: PA emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the growing need for efficient and effective government.
  2. Focus on bureaucracy: PA emphasizes the importance of a well-organized, hierarchical, and rule-bound bureaucracy to achieve public goals.
  3. Focus on efficiency and effectiveness: PA aims to optimize the performance of public organizations by improving their internal processes, structures, and management systems.
  4. Emphasis on neutrality: PA assumes that public administrators should remain neutral and impartial in their decision-making, avoiding political influence.
  5. Focus on public policy implementation: PA is concerned with implementing public policies and programs, often with a focus on technical expertise and administrative efficiency.

New Public Administration (NPA):

  1. Emerged in the 1960s and 1970s: NPA responded to criticisms of traditional PA, arguing that it was too focused on efficiency and effectiveness, and neglected the social and political context of public administration.
  2. Focus on human values and social equity: NPA emphasizes the importance of human values, social equity, and citizen participation in public decision-making.
  3. Focus on responsiveness and accountability: NPA stresses the need for public administrators to be responsive to citizen needs and accountable to the public, rather than just following bureaucratic procedures.
  4. Emphasis on politics and power: NPA recognizes that public administration is inherently political and that administrators must be aware of the power dynamics at play.
  5. Focus on public policy-making: NPA is concerned with the policy-making process itself, including the role of citizens, interest groups, and other stakeholders in shaping public policy.

Key differences:

  1. Focus: PA focuses on efficiency and effectiveness, while NPA focuses on human values, social equity, and responsiveness.
  2. Approach: PA emphasizes a top-down, bureaucratic approach, while NPA advocates for a more participatory, collaborative approach.
  3. Values: PA values neutrality and impartiality, while NPA values human values, social equity, and accountability.
  4. Role of administrators: PA sees administrators as neutral implementers of policy, while NPA sees them as active participants in the policy-making process.

In summary, Public Administration is a traditional approach that focuses on efficiency, effectiveness, and neutrality, while New Public Administration is a more contemporary approach that emphasizes human values, social equity, responsiveness, and accountability.