Wilsonian and Hamiltonian traditions in American public administration

¶ … Toulmin's Model of Argument Analysis

Connection of Wilsonian and Hamiltonian Traditions

Hamiltonians is the first U.S. secretary of Treasury who believes that the central purpose of American foreign policy is to promote foreign trade as well as securing a stable national market economy. On the other hand, Wilsonians doctrine states that the promotion of international law involves using the World Court and United Nations for the promotion of permanent international peace. Kettl, (2015) points out that the Wilsonian and Hamiltonian traditions frame the classical approach of American public administration, which practitioners develop towards the end of the 20th century. Kettl, (2015) connects the Wilsonian and Hamiltonian traditions by combining the strong administration with classical approach. Hamiltonian tradition focuses on executive leadership principles using the top-down authority to enhance control and efficiency. However, Wilsonian tradition argues that managers can apply their functions within the scope of American constitutions to enhance efficiency.

2.Kettl's Evaluation of Traditional Public Administration

Kettl (2015) argued, "the modern study of public administration dated back from progressive era." (p 78). However, modern theorists believed that the launching of the traditional public administration started from the time Wilson published a book titled "The study of Administration" in 1887. Kettl (2015) points out that separation of administrative practice from political influence can improve the government programs and government accountability. Moreover, the approach will clarify relationships between administrative results and policy decisions. Kettl (2015) believes in traditional public administration policy execution vs. policymaking and public sectors vs. private sector. The system assists in enhancing efficiency of public administration.

3."Formal Theories of Public Administration"

Formal theories of public administration focus on individuals and the criteria to motivate these individuals. The theories also discuss on the strategy to shape the motivations of individuals when they start working with organizations. The theories provide the reason employees of a complex organization behave the way they do. While the traditional public administration focuses on a relationships between the superior and subordinates, the formal theories apply economic principles to understand the motives that make individuals to work. Macroeconomic principle argues that workers work because of the rewards they gain from organizations. Thus, market theory determines the amount an employer is ready to pay and the amount an employee will accept. Thus, formal theories see "bureaucracies as network of contract rather than the system of authority and hierarchy." (Kettl 2015 p 78).

4.Reinventing Government

The phrase reinvesting government argues that systems of governance can be reoriented to enhance productivity and efficiency similar to the best-run private business organizations. The concept of reinvesting government also focuses of ten strategies ranging from "steering rather than rowing" to meet the needs of customer." (Kettl 2015 p 89). The reinvention government is also characterized by the use of customer choice, competition as well as non-bureaucratic mechanisms in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of government while enhancing customer satisfaction.

6. Kettl Assessment of the Hamiltonian-Wilsonian Tradition

Kettl (2015) assesses the Hamiltonian-Wilsonian tradition and points out that the model delivers tremendous results because it has been responsible for the accomplishment of American public sector. Despite the benefits to be derived from the Hamiltonian-Wilsonian tradition, the model fails to strengthen the power of government leading to the threatening of the democratic accountability.

Part II

This section uses the article titled "Legitimizing Public Administration: A Disturbed Dissent" (p 261) to present the memo for public officials.

Legitimizing public administration is a critical administrative policy that every regime should implement because of the scarcity of good men who have ability to make a good decision. Essentially, governments should only focus on the construction of the constitution and the government should not be constructed in a way that common people will not be able to administer. The logical argument is that public administration should be democratic and be accessible to common people. More importantly, rotation of public official should be based on victorious party, which should be in line with the principles of democracy.

Legitimizing of public administration is relevant because the model has been in practice since 19th century, and different governments have successfully legitimized the Jacksonian Democracy theories. Lowi. (1993) points out that people should be entrusted with the responsibilities and power based on their level of training and professionalism. In essence, the application of meritocracy is the major critical aspect of American constitution. Despite the reason put forward to support the legitimization of public administration, provision of judicial power serves as limitation of the legislative branch. However, the theory of separation of power has great importance in the legitimacy of the public administration.

However, the Article I and Article II of the U.S. constitution support the legitimizing of public administration by referring to the delegation of powers. According to the Article 1, all powers granted to the national government and the powers are also granted to the Congress. For example, the executive branch of government emphasizes on delegation of powers. The constitution also emphasizes on the legislative supremacy that emphasizes the rule of law, which provides the legal provision that a government official should follow before withdrawing funds from the Treasury.

Delegation of power is also one of the critical aspects of legitimizing public administration. Typically, independent of powers is inherently written in the Constitution, however, inherent power of the president as a commander in chief is only applicable during the wartime.

"Constitutionally speaking, the key to Article II is Sections 8 and 9 of Article I coupled with the clause in Article II, Section 3 which provides that he shall take care that the Laws be faithfully executed." (Lowi. 1993, p 21).

In essence, the only source for the legitimization of the U.S. pubic administration is in the U.S. constitution and the authorities are delegated to the administrative agencies. In standpoint, the legitimacy of public administration should be within the statutes of authorities delegated to the Congress. Lowi. (1993) identifies the abuse of power as the shortcoming of legitimacy of public administration. Moreover, selfish interest can undermine the doctrine of legitimizing public administration because some public officials pursue their selfish economic interest during the political process. The doctrine of separation of power is the only constitution strategy to alleviate abuse of power within the public administrative setting.

The purpose of the constitution logic is to provide legitimacy to public administration. Typically, the essence of constitution is to restrain discretionary power as well as retaining administrative discretion. In essence, delegation of power is very essential to limit the power of public administrators.

Reference

Kettl, D.F. (2015). The Transformation of Governance: Public Administration for the Twenty-First Century. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Lowi. T.J. (1993). Legitimizing Public Administration: A Disturbed Dissent. Public Administration Review. 53(5):261-264.

Denhardt, J.V. And Denhardt, R.B. (2011). The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering. Armonk, (3rd edition). NY: M.E. Sharpe.

Quinn, R.E., Faerman, S.R., Thompson, M.P. et al. (2011). Becoming a Master Manager: A Competing values Framework. (5th edition Hoboken) NJ: John Wiley & Sons.