Introduction
The field of public administration has been developed throughout decades. Various thinkers tried to identify the best structure and the role of public administration. Some of the most influential theorists are William F. Willoughby, Max Weber, Leonard D. White and Mary Parker Follett.
Major Contributors to the Field
William F. Willoughby is one of the most prominent theorists who contributed greatly to the development of public administration. He thought that public administration could address all issues related to the government (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012). One of the most important contributions of the researcher is his work on budgetary reform. Willoughby believed that budgeting is crucial for proper development and functioning of the system.
He focused on three aspects: the role of budgets in controlling, the role of budgets in enhancing executive and legislative branches and the role budgets played in development of administrative efficiency (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012). He also contributed greatly to the development of the Budget Office. It is needless to say that the contemporary budgeting system is based on the works of this thinker.
Another influential thinker who had a profound impact on the development of public administration is the German sociologist Max Weber. Weber focused on a variety of aspects of the human society and considered the structure of public administration. The sociologist believed that bureaucracy was an indispensible part of effective government (Cox et al., 2010).
Importantly, the thinker considered different states (from the ancient world along with European countries) and revealed major features of bureaucracy. The sociologist also noted that bureaucracies can have a negative impact if they do not develop properly (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012). Weber’s theories had a significant effect on the development of public administration as the sociologist outlined major peculiarities of effective bureaucracy.
Apart from Weber, who focused on some particular aspects of public administration, there was another thinker who outlined the major aspects of public administration as a disciple. This thinker was Leonard D. White who provided specific objectives of the discipline.
Hence, according to White public administration can be studied at different levels, the core variable of the study is management (not politics), it is both art and science, it is crucial to recognize it as a study which will be vital for the development of the government (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012).
Admittedly, these are milestones within the field of public administration. Thus, it is possible to note that White contributed greatly to the process of recognition of public administration as a discipline and outlined the central points within the area.
Unlike White, Mary Parker Follett focused on behavior of individuals within the system. She saw government as an organization where relationships between individuals were essential (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012).
The researcher was one of the first thinkers to focus on management within public administration. She stressed the importance of development of proper relationships between subordinates and seniors (Shafritz & Hyde, 2012). Though she focused on quite specific areas, she made a significant contribution to the field as she revealed the value of proper management.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is possible to state that William F. Willoughby, Max Weber, Leonard D. White and Mary Parker Follett contributed greatly in the development of the public administration. The thinkers focused on macro and micro issues within the field and, thus, they addressed all major aspects of public administration.
Reference List
Cox, R.W., Buck, S.J., & Morgan, B.N. (2010). Public administration in theory and practice. New York, NY: Longman Publishing Group.
Shafritz, J.M., & Hyde, A.C. (2012). Classics of public administration. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.