A Political Critique on Public Management: The Evolution of the Discipline

"A Political Critique on Public Management: The Evolution of the Discipline"

by Zelah Marie Dasmariñas-Gorres

“Living in an age when we are drowning in information while starving for uncertainty, much of the work adds to the former while failing the latter.” (Robert Frost)

            As we take each steps in our life, we learn, unlearn so many things from our environment, acquaintances, teachers, neighbors, media, readings, experiences, events and even more, whether we are aware or not. We have been bombarded with so many ideas and knowledge. Few of which remain as stored knowledge. Few of which are applied in our daily lives. And few of which or most of which we can even remember. Bottom line, what are we really looking for in life? Is it about gaining knowledge? Or is it about applying that knowledge? Or even something deeper in essence.

            It applies not just in life but specifically in the world of politics. And what is politics? There has been a misconception on the meaning of politics in the understanding of the common people. Politics as defined in wikipedia, “it is a process by which groups of people make a collective decision.” And definitely that is not the answer of what politics is when you ask the candy vendor on the street or even the engineer roaming around the building that he is supervising. Considering the exact same meaning provided, I can say that everything that happens in this world involves politics. The kind of rice a mother will buy in the market could be at a cheaper price to spare some budget for other concerns. The suggested retail price (SRP) of every basic commodity is not only based on the producers’ concern but as well as the farmers’ income and the government’s assessment. Government’s assessment on every SRP’s is subject to economic condition both domestic and international. Domestic condition includes almost all sectors in the society and so on. Thus, it shows a political cycle. A person has a connection to another person. People as citizens are involve in the society. Society is one consideration of the government. Government is directly or indirectly influenced by sectors. And sectors whether non-governmental, interest or partisan parties on the other hand influence government’s decisions. Words may not be exact as I want to express it but in one way or another it shows the interconnection and interdependence of each and every individual, groups, sectors, parties, and even as a nation, and more as a holistic approach of the world.

            What then is the importance of understanding the dynamic history and developments of Public Management in the aspect of its objects and objectives? Public management evolved after a dynamic struggle between the similarities, differences and commonalities of Public Administration and Political Science. Its evolution was shaped and will continue to be shaped and transformed thru theories and practices.

            The Journal of politics published by Cambridge University Press shows the constant evolution of the divergence and separation of the idea of Public Management from Administration. The Journals showed theories, practice and evaluation of known politicians in history that helped transformed ideas and its application. The said journal  presented the different theories and  different practices from the start when Public Management was still incorporated with Public Administration. Most of the sections in the journal tackles the three objects of Public Management namely: Political Science, The Society(people), and the Government. Attaining the goals or objectives of Public Management are dependent on the working relationship of the three objects of Public Management.

       Political Science is said to be a scientific study of the organization and function of the state where in according to Frank Goodnow in 1904, there are three dimensions being studied: 1. "expression of the will of state", 2. "the context of the will of state", and 3. "the execution of the will of the state." In this scientific study consitution was stressed as a fundamental rule of the land. This "set of laws according to made by the people and agreed upon by the government  enumerates and limits the powers and functions of a political entity (wikipedia)."  This falls under the field of Social Sciences which is inter-related with other social sciences like history, economics, psychology and the like. From time to time, it has greatly adapted the scientific approach in understanding and analyzing the events in the political arena. The society or the people and the government are the main actors in this arena. Society as discussed in the material is defined thru income, race, gender, ethnicity, age, lifestyle and more. They may have commonalities and more so there are differences. Thus, on that ground there is a need for a government. Government "embodies Public Administration." Because each and every individual is unique, the government is "expected to bridge the difference and strengthen commonalities". It is then instrument used to "achieve community purpose for security, equality and prosperity." And these goals or objectives are in the past achieve with the guidance of the theories believed to be scientific and logical in practice.

         The "Twixt and Tween Theory and Practice" considered Political Science as an academic discipline applies the push, pull, propel and twist concept to reality as governance and resolving the issues are the main concern of Public Administration. According to Robert Frost's poem, people are over fed with information but "starving for uncertainty." This theory tackles Political Science as a source of hope. In 1887, Woodrow Wilson considered Political Science as "a search for guidance and truth." Our very own Dr. Jose Rizal went out of his way to earn degree for knowledge. In this light, the study of the discipline can definitely help out and guide those in the governing body on what's the right decision to make and how to handle situation. Thus in both Marshall Dimock (1937) and John Rohr's (1986) work, both agreed that Political Science teaches " how to run a constitution."  This 'Twixt and Tween theory and practice put its focus on the study of "Principles of governance" which in return will result to the converging idea between Political Science and Public Administration. It show the Inter-relation of politics and governance since administration is the core of government and government is the focus of politics. Both may have an entwined commonality but their separation in terms of function is untouchable as prescribed in the essay of Woodrow Wilson titled "The Study of Administration" and seconded by Leonard White (1926).

         History presents to us the inseparability of the study and the practice. The scientific study of politics and governance is the basic framework in the practice done by government. In 1886-1939, Political Science was seen to have similarities with other social sciences like history and economics. While in the late 1800's and early 1900's, with the promotion of Political Science, Associations were formed that brought about the promotion of the study in publications and eventually offering the subject in college campuses and creating departments and degree programs. The study of Political Science is considered to be the best foundation for those students who would like to work in the government. It is also the best action done by institutes and centers to train public officials in the principles of management. The same was advocated by Charles E. Merriam during his Presidential Address to APSA. He believed that the "Science of Politics" bring about the "rising emphasis of development of theories and testable hypothesis."

          The diversity of Public Administration brought about the springing out of Public Management. The conceptualization of Politics used the science and technology of Political Science and the Intellectual heritage of Public Administration to enhance the practices done in our government and in the society as part of the whole.

          History, Economics, Science and Politics as a study drowned man with information. But the question is " Did man used such knowledge correctly and appropriately for his betterment?" We continue to en devour for for more knowledge without using what we currently have, which is equivalent to failing education. Thus man continues to starve for UNCERTAINTY.