DUE DATE: 07 SEPTEMBER 2023
NB: INCLUDE A TABLE OF CONTENTS USING THE HEADINGS AND
SUBHEADINGS (BOLD) OF THE ESSAY.
, 1. Introduction
Public administration, with its multifaceted nature, plays a crucial role in the functioning of
governments worldwide. Over time, the field of public administration has evolved, giving rise to
various subfields and methodologies aimed at improving public sector performance. Among
these, Reflective Public Administration has emerged as a noteworthy approach, distinct from
both the broader concept of Public Administration and the more generic notion of public
administration. This essay seeks to distinguish between Reflective Public Administration, Public
Administration, and public administration, elucidating their unique characteristics, and
demonstrates how the incorporation of reflective practices can significantly enhance public
sector performance.
2. Reflective Public Administration
Reflective Public Administration represents a distinctive approach within the field of Public
Administration. It incorporates reflective practices and self-assessment into the decision-making
and operational processes of government agencies (Bekke, et al., 2016). This approach
encourages public administrators to critically examine their actions, policies, and outcomes,
with a focus on continuous learning and improvement.
Reflective Public Administration involves elements such as feedback loops, evaluation
mechanisms, and the incorporation of stakeholder perspectives (Bryson & Crosby, 2017). It
recognizes that public sector performance cannot be measured solely through quantitative
metrics but also requires qualitative assessments and adaptive strategies.
3. Public Administration
Public Administration, in its broadest sense, encompasses the organizational and managerial
aspects of government. It involves the implementation of public policies and the day-to-day
operations of government agencies. Public Administration, often regarded as a discipline,
focuses on the efficient and effective functioning of government organizations, encompassing
areas such as budgeting, personnel management, and decision-making processes (Frederickson,
2018).
In the realm of Public Administration, performance is typically measured by factors like cost-
effectiveness, service quality, and adherence to legal and ethical standards (Denhardt &
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