Discretion in Public Administration: Analysis of Sugihara
Scott D. McPherson
Indiana Wesleyan University
The purpose of this writing is to identify and analyze three writings that are relative to the famed Japanese consular Chiune Sugihara. Each of three works will be identified separately and similarities of the author’s points of view and the actions of Sugihara will be discussed in depth. Finally, two insights will be made in regards to the implementation of decision-making, discretion, and public responsibility that will be useful to current and future public administrators.
Introduction to Sugihara Chiune Sugihara was born January 1, 1900 in Japan. He grew up in a time of great change in Japan. His mother had been part …show more content…
After extended exposure to the violent treatment of the Chinese by the Japanese in the quest for dominance, he returned to Tokyo to train for a position as a diplomat in Europe. After completing his training, he was assigned to the position of consul general where he was to observed and report on the movements of Russian troops. After Sugihara befriended some Jewish families in Lithuania, he became sympathetic to the plight of the Jews fleeing the Holocaust and began issuing thousands of visas that allowed refugees to escape my way of Japan. This was met with much disapproval by the Japanese …show more content…
Sugihara found himself in this same exact spot. Because of this, street-level bureaucrats often use discretion in the day to day implementation and enforcement of policy. Each person who comes to work in the public sector brings ideas, values, agendas and abilities to the table (Maupin, 1993). Sugihara was no exception to this and used what was considered wide discretion to accommodate a large number of Jews in the escape from the Nazis. Public sector professionals who take such radical stands are often seen as radical and non-conforming. Those who work in these positions that wield so much power must understand that their actions can have both personal and professional impacts. This could include anything from mild reprimands to less than desired positions. In Sugihara’s case, he lived a life of obscurity after he was forced to leave his position. While he was certainly well within what many in the non-public sector would call the right, his superiors saw him as breaking from the norm.
Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E., & Borick, C. P. Introducing Public Administration (8th
Scott D. McPherson
Indiana Wesleyan University
The purpose of this writing is to identify and analyze three writings that are relative to the famed Japanese consular Chiune Sugihara. Each of three works will be identified separately and similarities of the author’s points of view and the actions of Sugihara will be discussed in depth. Finally, two insights will be made in regards to the implementation of decision-making, discretion, and public responsibility that will be useful to current and future public administrators.
Introduction to Sugihara Chiune Sugihara was born January 1, 1900 in Japan. He grew up in a time of great change in Japan. His mother had been part …show more content…
After extended exposure to the violent treatment of the Chinese by the Japanese in the quest for dominance, he returned to Tokyo to train for a position as a diplomat in Europe. After completing his training, he was assigned to the position of consul general where he was to observed and report on the movements of Russian troops. After Sugihara befriended some Jewish families in Lithuania, he became sympathetic to the plight of the Jews fleeing the Holocaust and began issuing thousands of visas that allowed refugees to escape my way of Japan. This was met with much disapproval by the Japanese …show more content…
Sugihara found himself in this same exact spot. Because of this, street-level bureaucrats often use discretion in the day to day implementation and enforcement of policy. Each person who comes to work in the public sector brings ideas, values, agendas and abilities to the table (Maupin, 1993). Sugihara was no exception to this and used what was considered wide discretion to accommodate a large number of Jews in the escape from the Nazis. Public sector professionals who take such radical stands are often seen as radical and non-conforming. Those who work in these positions that wield so much power must understand that their actions can have both personal and professional impacts. This could include anything from mild reprimands to less than desired positions. In Sugihara’s case, he lived a life of obscurity after he was forced to leave his position. While he was certainly well within what many in the non-public sector would call the right, his superiors saw him as breaking from the norm.
Shafritz, J. M., Russell, E., & Borick, C. P. Introducing Public Administration (8th