PAD 322 EXAM PREPARATION
Exam demarcation
While every study unit is important, special attention
should be given to the following study units:1, 2, 6 and 7
o Study unit 1: The study of comparative public Administration
Discuss the importance and complexities of cross-national comparison of
administrative systems in the study of Public Administration. [17 November 2017]
Introduction
Comparative public administration is the study of public administration systems in
different countries and regions, with an emphasis on similarities and difference.
Significance of Cross-National Comparisons
1. Strengthening Understanding: Cross-national comparisons expand the empirical
basis of the field of Public Administration. By examining administrative systems in
different countries, researchers can gather a broader range of data and insights,
which contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the administrative
process. This empirical foundation enhances the development of theories and
models in the field.
2. Understanding Global Administrative Issues: Cross-national comparisons allow us
to understand and address global administrative issues. Administrative challenges
often transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, migration, and
cybersecurity. By comparing administrative approaches and experiences across
countries, we can develop more effective and coordinated strategies to tackle these
global challenges.
3. Eliminating Parochialism and Ethnocentrism: Comparative Public Administration
helps eliminate parochialism and ethnocentrism by exposing policymakers and
researchers to diverse administrative practices and perspectives. It encourages a
broader, more inclusive mindset, recognizing that there are multiple ways to
approach and solve administrative problems. This helps in fostering a global
perspective and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
,4. Practical Solutions: Comparative studies offer practical solutions to common
administrative problems. By examining successful administrative reforms and
challenges faced in other countries, administrators can learn from these experiences
and adapt proven strategies to their own contexts. This promotes knowledge sharing
and facilitates evidence-based decision-making.
Complexities of Cross-National Comparisons
1. Differences in Contexts: Cross-national comparisons face challenges due to the
differences in political, economic, and social contexts among countries.
Administrative systems are shaped by unique historical, cultural, and institutional
factors. These variations make it difficult to directly compare practices and outcomes,
as what works well in one context may not be applicable or effective in another.
2. Lack of Information: Gathering reliable and standardized data for cross-national
comparisons can be challenging. Countries have different data collection systems,
methodologies, and reporting practices. This variation can result in limited or
inconsistent data availability, which hinders accurate comparisons.
3. Cultural and Geographical Diversity: Cultural diversity and differences in
geographical area can pose challenges to cross-national comparisons.
Administrative practices may be deeply rooted in cultural norms and values, making
it difficult to generalize or transfer practices across diverse contexts. Additionally,
variations in geographical factors, such as population density or natural resources,
can significantly impact administrative systems and outcomes.
4. Language Barrier: Language differences can be a significant barrier in
comparative Public Administration. Accurate translation of administrative terms and
concepts is crucial for meaningful comparisons. Language challenges can hinder
effective communication and understanding of administrative practices and theories.
5. Insufficient Answers to Complex Problems: Cross-national comparisons may not
always provide sufficient answers to complex administrative problems.
Administrators often encounter unique and context-specific challenges that require
tailored solutions. Comparative studies can provide insights and ideas, but they may
not always offer comprehensive or direct solutions to address these complex
problems.
Conclusion
Despite these complexities, cross-national comparisons remain a valuable tool in the
study of Public Administration. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges,
researchers and policymakers can derive meaningful insights and practical solutions
from comparative analyses.
, o Study unit 2: Bureaucracy as a focus for comparison
Based on the study unit on the trends in the Comparative Study of Public
Administration: [18 November 2022]
a) Analyse the importance of Comparative Public Administration scholarship
on cross-cultural comparisons. (30 Marks)
Analysing the importance of Comparative Public Administration scholarship on cross-
cultural comparisons is essential in understanding the impact of administrative
practices across different cultures. This analysis carries significant weight in the field
and can be assessed based on the following factors:
Enhancing Cultural Understanding: Comparative Public Administration scholarship
on cross-cultural comparisons promotes cultural understanding by exploring
administrative practices in diverse contexts. It allows us to examine how cultural
factors shape administrative systems, decision-making processes, and policy
implementation. This understanding is crucial for policymakers and administrators to
develop contextually appropriate strategies.
b) Discuss the different trends in the comparative study of Public
Administration. (30 Marks)
A shift from normative to empirical approaches
In the earlier stages of comparative public administration, there was a tendency to
focus on normative approaches, seeking to prescribe ideal or better patterns of
administrative structures and actions. This approach emphasized what should be
done or what the ideal practices ought to be. However, there has been a shift
towards empirical approaches that aim to examine and understand the actual
administrative practices and structures in different countries. This shift emphasizes
studying and analysing the realities of administrative systems as they are, rather
than prescribing how they should be.
A shift from ideographic to nomothetic approach
Riggs highlighted the shift from ideographic approaches, which involve studying a
single agency or country through in-depth case studies, to nomothetic approaches
that focus on generalizations and hypotheses.. The nomothetic approach seeks to
identify regularities of behaviour and correlations between variables by studying
multiple cases or countries. Within the nomothetic approach, two distinct types of
studies can be identified: homological studies, which primarily focus on comparing
similarities and differences in administrative structures, and analogical studies,
Exam demarcation
While every study unit is important, special attention
should be given to the following study units:1, 2, 6 and 7
o Study unit 1: The study of comparative public Administration
Discuss the importance and complexities of cross-national comparison of
administrative systems in the study of Public Administration. [17 November 2017]
Introduction
Comparative public administration is the study of public administration systems in
different countries and regions, with an emphasis on similarities and difference.
Significance of Cross-National Comparisons
1. Strengthening Understanding: Cross-national comparisons expand the empirical
basis of the field of Public Administration. By examining administrative systems in
different countries, researchers can gather a broader range of data and insights,
which contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the administrative
process. This empirical foundation enhances the development of theories and
models in the field.
2. Understanding Global Administrative Issues: Cross-national comparisons allow us
to understand and address global administrative issues. Administrative challenges
often transcend national boundaries, such as climate change, migration, and
cybersecurity. By comparing administrative approaches and experiences across
countries, we can develop more effective and coordinated strategies to tackle these
global challenges.
3. Eliminating Parochialism and Ethnocentrism: Comparative Public Administration
helps eliminate parochialism and ethnocentrism by exposing policymakers and
researchers to diverse administrative practices and perspectives. It encourages a
broader, more inclusive mindset, recognizing that there are multiple ways to
approach and solve administrative problems. This helps in fostering a global
perspective and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
,4. Practical Solutions: Comparative studies offer practical solutions to common
administrative problems. By examining successful administrative reforms and
challenges faced in other countries, administrators can learn from these experiences
and adapt proven strategies to their own contexts. This promotes knowledge sharing
and facilitates evidence-based decision-making.
Complexities of Cross-National Comparisons
1. Differences in Contexts: Cross-national comparisons face challenges due to the
differences in political, economic, and social contexts among countries.
Administrative systems are shaped by unique historical, cultural, and institutional
factors. These variations make it difficult to directly compare practices and outcomes,
as what works well in one context may not be applicable or effective in another.
2. Lack of Information: Gathering reliable and standardized data for cross-national
comparisons can be challenging. Countries have different data collection systems,
methodologies, and reporting practices. This variation can result in limited or
inconsistent data availability, which hinders accurate comparisons.
3. Cultural and Geographical Diversity: Cultural diversity and differences in
geographical area can pose challenges to cross-national comparisons.
Administrative practices may be deeply rooted in cultural norms and values, making
it difficult to generalize or transfer practices across diverse contexts. Additionally,
variations in geographical factors, such as population density or natural resources,
can significantly impact administrative systems and outcomes.
4. Language Barrier: Language differences can be a significant barrier in
comparative Public Administration. Accurate translation of administrative terms and
concepts is crucial for meaningful comparisons. Language challenges can hinder
effective communication and understanding of administrative practices and theories.
5. Insufficient Answers to Complex Problems: Cross-national comparisons may not
always provide sufficient answers to complex administrative problems.
Administrators often encounter unique and context-specific challenges that require
tailored solutions. Comparative studies can provide insights and ideas, but they may
not always offer comprehensive or direct solutions to address these complex
problems.
Conclusion
Despite these complexities, cross-national comparisons remain a valuable tool in the
study of Public Administration. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges,
researchers and policymakers can derive meaningful insights and practical solutions
from comparative analyses.
, o Study unit 2: Bureaucracy as a focus for comparison
Based on the study unit on the trends in the Comparative Study of Public
Administration: [18 November 2022]
a) Analyse the importance of Comparative Public Administration scholarship
on cross-cultural comparisons. (30 Marks)
Analysing the importance of Comparative Public Administration scholarship on cross-
cultural comparisons is essential in understanding the impact of administrative
practices across different cultures. This analysis carries significant weight in the field
and can be assessed based on the following factors:
Enhancing Cultural Understanding: Comparative Public Administration scholarship
on cross-cultural comparisons promotes cultural understanding by exploring
administrative practices in diverse contexts. It allows us to examine how cultural
factors shape administrative systems, decision-making processes, and policy
implementation. This understanding is crucial for policymakers and administrators to
develop contextually appropriate strategies.
b) Discuss the different trends in the comparative study of Public
Administration. (30 Marks)
A shift from normative to empirical approaches
In the earlier stages of comparative public administration, there was a tendency to
focus on normative approaches, seeking to prescribe ideal or better patterns of
administrative structures and actions. This approach emphasized what should be
done or what the ideal practices ought to be. However, there has been a shift
towards empirical approaches that aim to examine and understand the actual
administrative practices and structures in different countries. This shift emphasizes
studying and analysing the realities of administrative systems as they are, rather
than prescribing how they should be.
A shift from ideographic to nomothetic approach
Riggs highlighted the shift from ideographic approaches, which involve studying a
single agency or country through in-depth case studies, to nomothetic approaches
that focus on generalizations and hypotheses.. The nomothetic approach seeks to
identify regularities of behaviour and correlations between variables by studying
multiple cases or countries. Within the nomothetic approach, two distinct types of
studies can be identified: homological studies, which primarily focus on comparing
similarities and differences in administrative structures, and analogical studies,
