Introduction To Public Administration–MGT111
VU
© Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan
1
LESSON
01
INTRODUCTION
The course on Public Administration/Management has following objectives:
1.
Understand the concept of public administration/ management/organization
2.
Understand the evolution of the concept of public administration and its importance
3.
Understand the role of government
4.
Understand the role and core functions of public manager
5.
Understand the structure of government /organizations
6.
Create understanding about the skills required by the public manager in imparting duties
7.
Understand the changing role of government and role of public managers.
Importance of Course:
The course on public administration/management is important as every citizen
must understand the functioning of government. Besides, whether one works in private or public
organization, or one is doing ones own business or whatever the profession, this course is useful as it helps
understand organizations and their functioning. It also helps us understand the environment in which we
are working.
Introduction: definitions, concepts & setting
At the end of lecture the students should be able to understanding:
• The meaning of PA
• The practice of public administration (PA)
• Public administration as a subject of study
• Definition of Public administration
• Public administration, democracy and rights of citizens
The Meaning
The word ‘administration’ has been derived from Latin words ‘ad’ = to and ‘ministiare’ = serve and
‘Public’ =people or citizens
Thus the word administration means to execute the policy of government to serve public.
Management is also defined as Cooperative human endeavour to achieve given goals. Traditionally
management is also defined as Management = POSDCORB which stands for Planning, Organizing,
Staffing, Directing, Coordination, Reporting, Budgeting.
In general administration and management are used interchangeably.
Public Administration
A public administration as a practice is as old as the human civilization. When human beings started
living in society in an organized way they started the practice of administration, because they started to live
cooperatively in society. It is said that when a man tried to left a stone and was unable to do so alone and
was helped by another man, the practice of ‘management/administration began.
Egyptian Pyramids (1491 BC)
You must have seen Egyptian pyramids and must have thought how
such huge structure was built. The construction of Egyptian pyramids in 1491
is an example of practice of administration, as it involved cooperative effort
of thousands of people.
Mohenjodaro and Harrapa
In Pakistan Mohenjodaro and Harrapa civilizations are a magnificent example of practice of
administration. The two cities had well planned roads, granary, wells and walls around the city to protect it.
