Summary Comparative public Administration notes for exam
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Course
PAD 322
Institution
University Of Pretoria (UP)
These notes are exceptionally well-written and demonstrate a thorough understanding of comparative public Administration. The summary provides a comprehensive overview of lecture's slides.
Comparative Public Administration
Comparative Public Administration (CPA) is the comparative study of institutions, processes and
behaviours in many contexts. Context (or environment) in comparative analysis generally refers to
all external influences that affect management, such as societal values, norms, religion, political
culture, and economy.
PAD 322
NOTES
Study Themes 1-7
Disclaimer: Take note that the following Public Administration Notes, PAD 322, is based
on the lecture recordings (which is coloured mainly black text), and the additional
resource (which is coloured in blue text), however, you should be more research to
expand beyond the notes.
Compiled by: Michelle Fernandes
, STUDY UNIT 1
COMPARISON IN THE STUDY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
*MUST HAVE PRACTICAL EXAMPLES TO PASS*
(Comparative of Public Administration during the outbreak of COVID-19)
Readings
• Khan, H.A. 2016. Quality of Governance: A Paradigm for Comparative Public Administration.
South Asian Journal of Policy and Governance, 38(1):2-18.
• O’leary, R., Van Slyke, D.M. and Kim, S. (Eds.). 2010. The Future of Public Administration
Around the World: The Minnowbrook Perspective. Washington D.C.: Georgetown University
Press. pp. 79-90.
• Pruthi, R.K. (Ed.). 2005. Theory of Public Administration. New Delhi: Discovery Publishing
House. pp. 121-128.
Learning outcomes
❑ Define Comparative Public Administration.
❑ Describe the evolution of the field of Comparative Public Administration over the years.
❑ Explain the growth, method and ecology of Comparative Public Administration.
❑ Explain the significance of comparison.
❑ Analyse the problems of comparison.
❑ Analyse the future of Comparative Public Administration.
Lecture Notes
1.1 Definitions and meaning of Comparative Public Administration (CPA): [Pruthi Reading]
❑ How will you define Comparative Public Administration?
Comparative public administration is the study of public administration systems in
different countries and regions, with an emphasis on similarities and difference.
However observers might be inclined to ignore the study of administrative processes
in countries that do not share the same levels of development. E.g To draw an apt
analogy, one should refrain from comparing apples with bananas, such as the United
States of America and Zimbabwe; rather, it is more fitting to do it with France or China
- be in the same league
• A comparative study of government administrative systems functioning in different
countries [comparing South Africa and Senegal - only look at the government and political
arrangement,
• A comparative study of public administrative institutions of different States [comparing
parliament, department of home affairs or department of health between two states -
how they are coping with issues, what systems etc]. example Both Senegal and South Africa
have experienced challenges with corruption and inefficiency in their public administrations
• It is a discipline which uses empirical tools of comparison to study the total universe of public
administration irrespective of time, place and culture variables.
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,• Learn about administrative procedures followed in different nations, then we can adopt
practices that would best fit our own nation.
• The study of cross-cultural and cross-national public administration.
• CPA is the study of public administration on a comparative basis .
The comparative analysis of administrative institutions, structures [how is it organised],
processes [how is it followed] and behaviours [public servant and they way the act -
police in Zimbabwe] .
1.2 Reasons for the study of CPA:
• Colonial experience: e.g. Spanish, British, French, Portuguese, Dutch, etc.
Many countrie’s public administration systems have been shaped by their colonial history. For
example, former British colonies often have a Westminster-style system of government, with a
strong emphasis on parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. By contrast, former French
colonies often have a more centralized system of government, with a greater focus on state-led
economic development. By studying these different approaches, we can gain a better
understanding of how historical factors have shaped public administration systems in different
countries.
• The Increased flow of information worldwide: e.g. technological advancements allow easy
comparison of administrative systems from different countries.
Advancements in technology have made it easier than ever to compare public administration
systems from different countries. For example, we can use the internet to access information
about public policies, service delivery, and governance structures from around the world. This
allows us to identify best practices and learn from the experiences of other countries, even if we
can't physically visit those countries.
• Domino effects of human development: various international bodies encourage
development.
International organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International
Monetary Fund play an important role in promoting development and good governance around
the world. By studying comparative public administration, we can identify strategies and
approaches that have been successful in promoting development in other countries and apply
these lessons to our own countries.
1.3 Levels of analysis: [Pruthi Reading]
❑ Micro studies [small]
- Involves the comparison of part of an administrative system such as recruitment or
training systems in different administrative systems. [Ghana recruitment - closed
system - no degree = no access to gov and South Africa - open system]. - Used
for administrative research
❑ Middle range studies
- Concentrates on specific aspects (e.g. comparison of local governments in different
countries). [South Africa - 3 levels. Uganda]
- It can also be comparison of the structures of bureaucracy of two or more countries.
- Neither a complete study of administrative systems nor of minute part of the administration.
❑ Macro studies [big - broad]
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, - Studying the whole administrative system of a country — all aspects are analysed (e.g. The
Republic of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo).
- Are usually longitudinal and comprehensive in scope.
1.4 The range of CPA:
❑ Comparative analysis of administrative systems can be in the form of:
• Inter-institutional (Department of Home Affairs and Department of Health)
Inter-institutional comparative analysis involves comparing different departments or
agencies within the same country. For example, we could compare the Department of
Home Affairs and the Department of Health in South Africa to identify similarities and
differences in their organizational structures, service delivery models, and policy priorities.
• Intra-national (Gauteng and Western Cape - Provinces)
Intra-national comparative analysis involves comparing different regions or provinces within
the same country. For example, we could compare the public administration systems of the
Gauteng and Western Cape provinces in South Africa to identify differences in their
approaches to governance, service delivery, and economic development.
• Cross-national (Botswana and South Africa)
Cross-national comparative analysis involves comparing public administration systems
between different countries. For example, we could compare the public administration
systems of Botswana and South Africa to identify similarities and differences in their
approaches to governance, service delivery, and economic development.
• Cross-cultural (Anglophone [Kenya] and Francophone [Mali]) [Lusophone - Portuguese and
Arabs - Egypt].
Cross-cultural comparative analysis involves comparing public administration systems
between countries or regions with different cultural backgrounds. For example, we could
compare the public administration systems of Anglophone (e.g. Kenya) and Francophone
(e.g. Mali) countries to identify differences in their approaches to governance, service
delivery, and economic development. We could also compare the public administration
systems of Lusophone (e.g. Portugal) and Arab (e.g. Egypt) countries to identify differences
in their approaches to governance, service delivery, and economic development.
1.5 The evolution of the field of CPA
❑ Woodrow Wilson's article "The Study of Administration": Wilson's article, which was published in
1887, is often seen as the foundation of public administration as a field of study. Wilson argued that
public administration should be studied scientifically, and that it should be separated from politics.
❑ Riggs' contribution to CPA: Fred Riggs was an important figure in the early development of
comparative public administration. He developed three models (prismatic, fused, and diffracted) to
study administrative systems in different countries. These models helped to shape the field of CPA
and provided a framework for comparing administrative systems across cultures and contexts.
❑ CPA after WW II: Following World War II, there was a greater focus on international cooperation
and development. Comparative public administration became an important tool for promoting
understanding between different countries and cultures, and for identifying best practices in public
administration.
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