Rational Choice Theory Of Public Administration

1235 Words3 Pages

The essay is structured as follows. First, I discuss the role of public administration to serve society while adhering to legislators in more detail. I continue with a consideration of morals and personal philosophies and how this can greatly affect public administrators. I further support my arguments through the integration of selected readings. Additionally, I provide a stronger interpretation of the readings by accepting or refusing the conclusions of the authors. Next, I propose the respective arguments and supporting evidence leading to my conclusion. Lastly, I elaborate on the conclusion while distinguishing the restraints and qualifications of my research. Public administration plays a large factor in modern governance through …show more content…

The idea that selfishness pushes policy forward is derived from a rational choice framework of public administration. Rational choice theory explains how an individual’s, including government officials, main drive is defined through his or her own self-determinations. However, this framework of public administration continues to elaborate how public goods were established as responses to the self-interests of each individual that makes up society as a whole, which leads to the concept of John Locke’s social contract. Additionally, government’s duty is to alleviate natural market failures like externalities from business placed on the general public. (Dye, 2002) Moreover, it can be argued that the selfishness demonstrated through the rational choice theory is drives public officials to act in a particular manner, accordingly, personal opinions and interests will remain evident in public …show more content…

The platonic tradition of public service, as described by Lewis, is to serve society solely without regards to outside influence including their own self-interests or financial incentives. Lewis defines political judgment as, “…to spot a private interest masquerading as a public good” (p. 527). With this, the interference of business on government can have a large impact with corporations pushing policy in a certain course. Thus, it can be argued that the consideration of business in public administration is important in understanding outside motives to governmental actions. Business’s lobbying in the White House is an example of business influence on policy formation. If incentives are provided, government will sway in a particular direction. Furthermore, the concept of a two party political system demonstrates how personal interests and moral codes are embedded in the political system. Although, there are benefits to hold government and public administration to impartial standards officials may become less responsive to their duties with no shared drives to cooperate. One’s own personal morals and interests can act as instigators to produce results in public service. These individual motivations should not be punished but valued within in an environment. This further demonstrates the necessity for diversity in order to

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