Comparative Public Administration | PAIR6054

Module overview

This course provides an introduction to comparative public administration by looking at shared theoretical approaches and common problems. It does not provide descriptions of the system of public administration in any single country. The course addresses two key aims of the degree: a knowledge and critical understanding of the core theoretical perspectives in the field; and a critical understanding of the main issues and events that have shaped the development of Public Administration in different national and sub-national settings. The course will give you an understanding of the diverse contexts in which decision makers confront shared problems and the variety of solutions adopted.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Describe and analyse the main issues and events that have shaped the development of Public Administration in different national and sub-national settings
Describe and analyse the challenges and dilemmas faced by decision-makers in the public and non-profit sector
Describe and analyse the core approaches to understanding public administration from a comparative perspective

Syllabus

1. Introduction - what government does and how it does it

2. Present-day theories of public administration (i) New public management (ii) Evidence-based policy making (iii) Narrative policy analysis

3. Problems in public administration (i) The executive and declining policy capacity (ii) Reforming the civil service, again (iii) Regulation – hands off vs. hands on  (iv) The implementation gap (v) Privatisation – the franchise state (vi) Network and collaborative governance (vii) Accountability – the problem of many hands

4. Dilemmas of public administration in developing countries

5. Field trip to Cabinet Office (date will vary from year to year)

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module consists of a series of seminars, where students will discuss relevant readings, give presentations, and engage in structured debate, discussion and reflection. Students will also take part in a field trip to the Cabinet Office.

Study time
Type	Hours
External visits	6
Independent Study	118
Seminar	20
Total study time	144

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

.. The Library already subscribes to the core journals in Public Administration, so we do not foresee additional resource needs.

Textbooks

Kettl, D (2015). Politics of the Administrative Process. London: Sage.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Seminar Participation	10%
Case Study Analysis	45%
Essay	45%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Case Study Analysis	45%
Essay	45%
Seminar Participation	10%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	50%
Case Study Analysis	50%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External