Article Review
The Public Administrator as Collaborative Citizen: Three Conceptions. Neale Smith. Public Administration Quarterly 34, PAQ summer 2010, pp. 238-261.
Every philosophical thought is first conceptualized before it is operationalized. In “The Public Administrator as Collaborative Citizen: Three Conceptions,” Neale Smith brings to light the three main theories that drive public administration delivery. In the article, Smith identifies three theories—critical theory, pragmatism, and virtue-based theories—and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis here is that the three approaches to public administration are not mutually exclusive! Hence, the administrator must show in-depth knowledge of the three philosophies in his/her understanding of public service delivery. …show more content…
He has credited the German philosopher Jurgen Habermas of the Frankfurt School as the source of his Critical Theories. One of the most critical points of this approach is that it sets the agenda for public engagement with policy makers in an atmosphere of openness when it comes to policy formulation. Smith posits, “Critical theorists would aim to foster a situation in which open speech and communication is possible and in which collective decisions would set the goals which more technical decisions would be aimed at achieving” (p. 243).
Smith credits Pragmatism, an American form of political theory, to Peirce, Dewey, and William James. This theory is founded on the Democratic and Republican values. The theory gives credence to the belief that all politics is local and, therefore, public policy decisions should emanate from the local people directly and not a group of policy experts.
He fears, however, for the public space to be turned into a mere talk shop without actions. It is also most likely the group agenda may displace the individual or personal ideas
The Public Administrator as Collaborative Citizen: Three Conceptions. Neale Smith. Public Administration Quarterly 34, PAQ summer 2010, pp. 238-261.
Every philosophical thought is first conceptualized before it is operationalized. In “The Public Administrator as Collaborative Citizen: Three Conceptions,” Neale Smith brings to light the three main theories that drive public administration delivery. In the article, Smith identifies three theories—critical theory, pragmatism, and virtue-based theories—and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses. The emphasis here is that the three approaches to public administration are not mutually exclusive! Hence, the administrator must show in-depth knowledge of the three philosophies in his/her understanding of public service delivery. …show more content…
He has credited the German philosopher Jurgen Habermas of the Frankfurt School as the source of his Critical Theories. One of the most critical points of this approach is that it sets the agenda for public engagement with policy makers in an atmosphere of openness when it comes to policy formulation. Smith posits, “Critical theorists would aim to foster a situation in which open speech and communication is possible and in which collective decisions would set the goals which more technical decisions would be aimed at achieving” (p. 243).
Smith credits Pragmatism, an American form of political theory, to Peirce, Dewey, and William James. This theory is founded on the Democratic and Republican values. The theory gives credence to the belief that all politics is local and, therefore, public policy decisions should emanate from the local people directly and not a group of policy experts.
He fears, however, for the public space to be turned into a mere talk shop without actions. It is also most likely the group agenda may displace the individual or personal ideas