Features of new public administration

The New Public Administration (NPA) is a movement that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the limitations and criticisms of traditional public administration. The NPA emphasizes a more humanistic, participatory, and responsive approach to public administration. Some of the key features of the New Public Administration include:

  1. Humanistic approach: NPA emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior, values, and motivations in public administration. It recognizes that public administrators are not just neutral technicians, but rather human beings who are influenced by their own values and biases.
  2. Participatory governance: NPA advocates for greater citizen participation in the decision-making process. This includes involving citizens in policy-making, providing opportunities for public input, and empowering citizens to take an active role in governance.
  3. Responsive administration: NPA emphasizes the importance of responding to the needs and concerns of citizens. This includes being more flexible, adaptable, and responsive to changing circumstances and priorities.
  4. Decentralization and devolution: NPA advocates for decentralizing power and decision-making authority to lower levels of government, communities, and individuals. This includes devolving authority to local governments, community organizations, and citizens.
  5. Collaboration and networking: NPA emphasizes the importance of collaboration and networking among different levels of government, public and private organizations, and citizens. This includes building partnerships and coalitions to achieve common goals.
  6. Emphasis on social equity: NPA recognizes that public administration has a responsibility to promote social equity and address the needs of disadvantaged groups. This includes addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and social justice.
  7. Focus on outcomes and results: NPA emphasizes the importance of measuring outcomes and results, rather than just focusing on process and procedure. This includes setting clear goals and objectives, and evaluating the effectiveness of programs and policies.
  8. Adaptability and flexibility: NPA recognizes that public administration must be adaptable and flexible in response to changing circumstances and priorities. This includes being willing to adjust policies and programs in response to new information and changing conditions.
  9. Emphasis on ethics and values: NPA emphasizes the importance of ethics and values in public administration. This includes promoting a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
  10. Focus on the public interest: NPA recognizes that public administration has a responsibility to serve the public interest, rather than just the interests of special groups or individuals. This includes prioritizing the needs and well-being of the broader community.
  11. Use of new technologies: NPA recognizes the potential of new technologies to improve public administration, including the use of information technology, e-government, and other innovative tools.
  12. Emphasis on continuous learning and improvement: NPA emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement in public administration. This includes staying up-to-date with new research, best practices, and innovative approaches.

Overall, the New Public Administration is a movement that seeks to transform public administration by emphasizing a more humanistic, participatory, and responsive approach to governance.