The Future of Public Service

Denhardt, Chp. 12

Changing view of public service

Eras through JFK, Government viewed favorably Vietnam conflict was a turning point Through the 80’s governments at all levels were under attack as

wasteful and inefficient More recently, an increasingly positive attitude

– Stable political climate: with Republicans firmly in power bashing has receded (why bash oneself?)

– Federal and State tax reductions– Growing concerns over issues that require Government

intervention (AIDS, pollution, drugs, homelessness, etc.)

Volcker Commission (1989)

Reduce number of Executive departments and focus their activities on well-defined missions

Agency managers should be chosen for their management skills and given the latitude to implement necessary change

Set competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified employees

Untie salaries of senior managers from Congressional pay scales Increase flexibility in personnel management Simplify and speed recruitment Insure that outsourcing advances the public interest and “does not

undermine the core competencies of Government”

Issues and trends

Cutbacks in health and social services– Government spending reduced as problems mount

Privatizing and contracting out– Equity (who gets the service?)– Accountability (how well is it performed?)

Government as a business, citizens and regulated industries as “customers”

– Deterioration of compliance– Lessened tax collections

“Doing more with less”– Does it mean “doing less with less”?

Information explosion: an enhanced capacity to count, record, tabulate and display data

– Can it distort the product or service? Increased direct involvement of citizens in public affairs (e.g.,

“community policing”)– Squeaky wheels get the grease?– Political expediency– Diminished role of experts in decision-making

“The New Public Service”

Primary role of public servant is not to control or steer society in new directions but to help citizens articulate and meet their mutual interests

Policies and programs are best achieved collectively and through collaboration “based on a respect for all people”

Aside from being concerned with “the market”, public servants must also respect the law, personal and community values, political norms, professional standards and citizen interests

Class debate - pro and con: the roles of public servants as per “The New Public Service”