This course examines the writings of major political philosophers and the way in which they have helped shape discourse in public administration. It seeks to help students become more aware of the character of the presuppositions regarding the nature of a state, which undergird the writings of various public administration scholars. Ideas regarding the composition, authority, and engagements of government and administration, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens, are discussed drawing on original writings from different schools of philosophy, including rationalism, empiricism, positivism, utilitarianism, romanticism, pragmatism, idealism, analytical philosophy, phenomenology, and existentialism. Students are encouraged to see how these ideas can be discerned in the public administration literature and how they affect the way in which the character and tasks of contemporary public administration are viewed. This course seeks to examine how scholars in public sector economics and budgeting think and write about important ideas in public finance, including the economic role of government in society, efficiency and social equity, public choice in democratic government, budgetary politics and processes, the role of analysis in government decisions, the principles of taxation, and fiscal federalism.
Special attention is paid to reading and discussing the classic literature in the field.
The philosophical assumptions that undergird this literature are explored in order to provide a critical appreciation of the way in which public finance scholars view the world, politics, society, and the nature of knowledge. Also, the nature of the activity of research in public finance is examined. An intensive review of major milestones in the organizational literature that have influenced public administration theory and practice. Emphasis on developing a critical perspective and understanding the impact and implications of organizational theory for public administration.