David Rosenbloom's three approaches to public administration

Public Administration involves the implementation of policies of the government, and it is a term used to refer to the study of the implementation these policies and the training given to civil servants to prepare them towards that role (Dubois & Fattore, 2009). Public Administration has three different methods stemming out of distinct perspective of its function. These strategies include the managerial approach, the political approach, and the legal approach. Each of the mentioned approach emphasizes on different values, procedures and structures of how public administration functions. These approaches were theorized by Professor David Rosenbloom, who was a Public Administration scholar (Dubois & Fattore, 2009).

Managerial Approach

According to this approach, public administration is used in managing the performance of organizations to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and the economy of resources. This approach aims at making organizations successful. The key areas of consideration in this approach are leaders, managerial techniques, decision making, and employee contributions (Dubois & Fattore, 2009). Managerial approach to public administration ensures that these areas work together for the ultimate success of that organization. A good example is the role of the health minister in the provision of proper health care to the people. The minister is a public administrator charged with healthcare issues, and he plays the role of a manager in implementing healthcare policies of the government.

Political Approach

This approach presents public administration as discussed by the politicians making decisions that affect it. Politicians are the legislatures charged with the responsibility of making laws and policies, which are enforced and executed by public administrators (Kettl & Fessler, 2009). Therefore, this approach seems to present the interconnected nature of public service work and the legislative work. Civil service relies entirely on the legislative laws and policies, to fulfill the public administrative duties to the citizens (Menzel & White, 2011). A good example is the Obama health care bill, which was debated by politicians before being passed into law in America.

The Approach I Identify with Most

The approach that I identify with most is the managerial approach to public administration. First, it is a salient approach, which controls most things as far as public administration is concerned. In my opinion, it seems to carry the bulk of public administration inasmuch as it depends on the other two approaches, and cannot survive on its own. With public administration being concerned with the implementation aspect of government policies, to govern the people, managerial approach carries the day on my list of preferences since it affects many people. The well-being of the society depends a lot on the proper implementation of government policies.

Secondly, perhaps I identify with the managerial approach because of the special bias that I have towards issues of management. I believe that good management is the key to unlocking progress of any organization or country. As it is the conventional thought, "everything rises and falls with a leader." A leader provides direction and is the vision bearer, who shows his or her followers the desired course of direction. Good leaders are good managers able to succeed in his or her leadership capacity. Considering the management side of public administration, it will enhance proper enforcement of government policies. If a public administrator has poor management skills, and he or she has a mandate to implement crucial policies in the government, the government will not only fail but also the development of the country will decline besides the people suffering.

Everything that has a direct effect to the progress of the country and affects people has a special place in my heart. No wonder, I have a bias for and identify most with the managerial approach to public administration.

I identify the least with the political approach because of its adverse effect to most government policies. I will be honest enough to agree that politics plays a vital role in putting to check the government, to fulfill its mandate to the people. However, most politicians do debate on key government policies or any other legislatures with selfish interests attached. Normally, for most politicians, the interest of the people is not at heart even though they were elected into office to represent those people. This reality cannot be demeaned when it comes to public administration. There is a possibility to have the managerial work of the public administrators being affected because of selfish interests of a few politicians. Personally, this trend disturbs me a lot and I would suggest that politics must be separated from issues of public administration.

Currently, politics takes centre stage in key public administration issues like provision of proper education, proper healthcare, and sanitation. Issues relating to food security and people's welfare have also been politicized. Consequently, often, the people do not receive some basic amenities because of politics. Perhaps, some politicians in the cause of their debating on the floor of the legislature passed a law that affected the role of public administrators in the implementation of key policies.