New Public Administration (NPA) emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a response to the limitations and criticisms of traditional public administration. It sought to make public administration more relevant to the needs of the public and more responsive to social issues.
Here are some key features and principles of New Public Administration:
Focus on Social Equity: NPA emphasizes the importance of social equity, advocating for policies and administrative actions that address social inequalities and serve the needs of marginalized groups. This marked a shift from the traditional focus on efficiency and effectiveness alone.
Value-Oriented: NPA encourages administrators to be guided by values such as justice, fairness, and equality. It argues that public administrators should not be neutral technocrats but active participants in promoting ethical standards and social justice.
Client-Centered Approach: There is a strong focus on serving the public and meeting the needs of citizens. NPA promotes the idea that public services should be responsive to the needs of the people, rather than just following rigid bureaucratic procedures.Innovation and
Flexibility: NPA advocates for innovation and flexibility in administrative processes. It encourages administrators to be adaptable and creative in solving public problems, moving away from rigid, rule-bound approaches.
Decentralization: NPA supports decentralizing administrative functions to bring government closer to the people. This involves empowering local governments and communities to have more control over their affairs.
Participatory Management: NPA promotes participatory management and decision-making processes. This includes involving citizens, employees, and other stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.
Rejection of the Politics-Administration Dichotomy: Traditional public administration often maintained a strict separation between politics and administration. NPA challenges this dichotomy, arguing that public administration is inherently political and that administrators should engage with political processes to advocate for social change.Key figures associated with the development of NPA include Dwight Waldo, who emphasized the need for a more humanistic and democratic approach to public administration, and H. George Frederickson, who highlighted the importance of social equity in administrative practice.
In summary, New Public Administration represents a paradigm shift that seeks to make public administration more relevant, responsive, and socially conscious, emphasizing values such as equity, participation, and innovation.
