Question 1
1.1 Explain what is meant by “public administration” and illustrate with the use of
relevant examples.
Public administration can be viewed as the field of study Public Administration,
indicated by capital letters or the organized practice itself public administration,
indicated by lower case letters. The functions of public administration are derived
from the foundational purpose of the state.
Public administration is ultimately concerned with satisfying the needs of society
within the borders of a specific state by the provision of certain public services by the
authorities at all spheres of government. In essence, public administration is part of
the government's process of service to society.
Pauw defines public administration as the organised non-political, executive
functions of the state. Functions are considered a higher-order, abstract category
under which concrete services, institutions, activities, and people can be sub-
summed. Public administration services are intended to ensure that citizens will be
able to lead happier and more perfect private and public lives.
Public administration is guided by a variety of needs in a society, usually resulting
from a shortage, necessity, or an imbalance in various areas of life. For instance, a
high crime rate creates the need for safe living conditions, and poverty creates a
demand for job opportunities and housing. Public services are the response to these
societal needs.
Relevant Examples of Public Services
Public services provided through public administration can be grouped into five
categories:
1. Protective Services: These are aimed at protecting society its possessions,
and the state against internal injustice and external threats.
o Example: Services provided by institutions like Safety and Security
Defence Correctional Services and Justice. Combating crime requires
the use of enforceable authority making it the sole responsibility of the
government.
2. Wealth-Creating Services: These relate to the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services promoting the right to earn an income and
developing a sound national economy.
o Example: Services from departments like Trade and Industry and
Agriculture. This category includes developing appropriate
infrastructure like passable streets necessary for wealth promotion.
3. Public Health, Welfare and Housing Services: These focus on improving the
quality of life for less privileged members of society.
o Example: Provision of housing for those who cannot provide shelter for
themselves, or issuing pensions social security. Healthcare services
include medical nursing and hospital care.
, 4. Cultural and Educational Services: These meet the intellectual, moral,
aesthetic, religious, and recreational needs of society.
o Example: Education and training, developing science and technology,
and promoting sport and recreation.
5. Environmental Conservation Services: These address society’s right to a safe
physical environment, which is threatened by factors like pollution and
depletion of natural resources.
o Example: The government playing a regulating role as well as a
positive conservation and enhancement role concerning issues like
global warming and the ozone layer.
1.2 Explain what is meant by “the good life” and how it can be linked to the concept
of “development”.
The concept of the "good life" serves as the point of departure for why public
services are necessary, as the reason for the existence of the state is based on the
pursuit of the “good life”. The state exists to provide the opportunity for each
individual to live a “life of natural perfection”.
What is meant by the good life
The good life has held different meanings across centuries and for different groups,
often centering on relationships between individuals and the relationship between
individuals and the state.
1. Historical and Philosophical Views:
o Plato viewed the state as instrumental in achieving the “good life,”
suggesting a man could not be good unless he was also a good citizen.
o Locke initially defined natural liberty as being free from any superior
power, governed only by the law of nature. He later conceded that the
chief goal of men uniting into commonwealths was the preservation of
their property.
o The goal of all states, irrespective of political ideology, is to secure the
general welfare of the nation.
o Schmandt and Steinbicker linked the individual good life to the
collective, stating that the material, moral, and intellectual well-being of
the whole society enables each individual to attain their own self-
perfection.
2. Individual and Group Issues:
o As an individual issue, the "good life" involves the right to live and
protect one’s life, be free, own property, work, participate in politics,
and be safe and free from crime.
o As a group issue, the "good life" includes the right to a stable and
healthy family life, voluntary association to pursue legitimate group
goals, freedom of religion, and liaison with other nations to promote
peace.
Link between “the good life” and “development”
Development is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of the "good life".
1.1 Explain what is meant by “public administration” and illustrate with the use of
relevant examples.
Public administration can be viewed as the field of study Public Administration,
indicated by capital letters or the organized practice itself public administration,
indicated by lower case letters. The functions of public administration are derived
from the foundational purpose of the state.
Public administration is ultimately concerned with satisfying the needs of society
within the borders of a specific state by the provision of certain public services by the
authorities at all spheres of government. In essence, public administration is part of
the government's process of service to society.
Pauw defines public administration as the organised non-political, executive
functions of the state. Functions are considered a higher-order, abstract category
under which concrete services, institutions, activities, and people can be sub-
summed. Public administration services are intended to ensure that citizens will be
able to lead happier and more perfect private and public lives.
Public administration is guided by a variety of needs in a society, usually resulting
from a shortage, necessity, or an imbalance in various areas of life. For instance, a
high crime rate creates the need for safe living conditions, and poverty creates a
demand for job opportunities and housing. Public services are the response to these
societal needs.
Relevant Examples of Public Services
Public services provided through public administration can be grouped into five
categories:
1. Protective Services: These are aimed at protecting society its possessions,
and the state against internal injustice and external threats.
o Example: Services provided by institutions like Safety and Security
Defence Correctional Services and Justice. Combating crime requires
the use of enforceable authority making it the sole responsibility of the
government.
2. Wealth-Creating Services: These relate to the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services promoting the right to earn an income and
developing a sound national economy.
o Example: Services from departments like Trade and Industry and
Agriculture. This category includes developing appropriate
infrastructure like passable streets necessary for wealth promotion.
3. Public Health, Welfare and Housing Services: These focus on improving the
quality of life for less privileged members of society.
o Example: Provision of housing for those who cannot provide shelter for
themselves, or issuing pensions social security. Healthcare services
include medical nursing and hospital care.
, 4. Cultural and Educational Services: These meet the intellectual, moral,
aesthetic, religious, and recreational needs of society.
o Example: Education and training, developing science and technology,
and promoting sport and recreation.
5. Environmental Conservation Services: These address society’s right to a safe
physical environment, which is threatened by factors like pollution and
depletion of natural resources.
o Example: The government playing a regulating role as well as a
positive conservation and enhancement role concerning issues like
global warming and the ozone layer.
1.2 Explain what is meant by “the good life” and how it can be linked to the concept
of “development”.
The concept of the "good life" serves as the point of departure for why public
services are necessary, as the reason for the existence of the state is based on the
pursuit of the “good life”. The state exists to provide the opportunity for each
individual to live a “life of natural perfection”.
What is meant by the good life
The good life has held different meanings across centuries and for different groups,
often centering on relationships between individuals and the relationship between
individuals and the state.
1. Historical and Philosophical Views:
o Plato viewed the state as instrumental in achieving the “good life,”
suggesting a man could not be good unless he was also a good citizen.
o Locke initially defined natural liberty as being free from any superior
power, governed only by the law of nature. He later conceded that the
chief goal of men uniting into commonwealths was the preservation of
their property.
o The goal of all states, irrespective of political ideology, is to secure the
general welfare of the nation.
o Schmandt and Steinbicker linked the individual good life to the
collective, stating that the material, moral, and intellectual well-being of
the whole society enables each individual to attain their own self-
perfection.
2. Individual and Group Issues:
o As an individual issue, the "good life" involves the right to live and
protect one’s life, be free, own property, work, participate in politics,
and be safe and free from crime.
o As a group issue, the "good life" includes the right to a stable and
healthy family life, voluntary association to pursue legitimate group
goals, freedom of religion, and liaison with other nations to promote
peace.
Link between “the good life” and “development”
Development is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of the "good life".
