Role of Public Administration in a Democratic State

For the execution of public policy and management of daily affairs, every government — monarchies, oligarchies, democracies — depends on public administration. It is true that the strength, performance, and efficacy of these administrative setups vary from country to country. although all form of governments has administrative systems, it occupies a very special place in democracies. As each depends on the other to realize themselves, both are mutually supportive. Democratic systems heavily bank upon public bureaucracy to effectively deliver and implement almost all its services and policies; ranging from maintenance of rule of law and operation of electoral systems. In turn, these administrative systems have an inherently democratic purpose and must seek support from the public and governmental institutions for its workability. 

Over the course of the time, the state has evolved into a welfare state. It is no longer a police state that was only concerned with the safety of the people mostly from foreign invasions. But, in this modern time, after World War 1st, the state encompasses all the aspects of its citizen's lives and strives to improve it. Not only security but education, health, job opportunities, industrial, commercial, business regulation, and almost all aspects of life from cradle to grave are looked after by the state. All these fields of life are managed by the public administration.

According to Professor W.B Donham, " If civilization fails it will be mainly because of a breakdown of administration." so, if we look at the statement of the W. B Donham, we can boldly say that administration is responsible for the construction or destruction of a civilization.

The following are the common fields throughout the world in which the public administration deals effectively:

1. Society and role of the public administration:

The public administration is a great mobilizing force in this modern era. It builds public institutions to meet societal requirements effectively. It ensures the equitable distribution of goods and services to improve the quality of the living standards of the citizens. It also expands the scope of the public administration by associating with people in many ways to include them in the administrative process.

2. Implementation and assistance to ministers of public policy:

As the public administration deals with the people directly and stays in the field with the citizens; they are more aware of societal problems and struggles. This immediate knowledge of the citizen's problems makes them a credible source of the policy guidance to the ministers to address these problems. Thus, they not only implement public policy but also assist the legislature to create laws that actually are beneficial for the public.

3. Role of administration in an individual's life:

As public administration is embedded in society, it has to take care of every aspect of it. It is responsible, on the one hand, for the general uplift of society in terms of medical, social, commercial infrastructure. On the other hand, it impacts an individual's life. A person is assisted from cradle to grave, as needed, by the public administration. With the birth of an individual, he is given identity, public safety, medical relief, added to the national database through form B registration, and accepted in the society. Later on, he is also given education opportunity to know, develop and utilize his skills by giving him a competitive environment to outshine his hidden talent and be successful in life to be a beneficial member of society.

 4. An impetus for democracy:

Democracy largely depends upon the public administration. Without it, democracy will be unable to rise to its cherished heights of excellence. One cannot think of achieving the ideals of democracy such as prosperity, progress, protection, equal opportunity, equity, and welfare of the people in the negation of the pubic administration. To realize these lofty goals, effective public administration is the much-needed machinery to put democracy on the right path.

5. An agent of social change:

Public administration is not only entrusted with the task of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens but to bring a positive change in the overall society. It is a force that shapes the course of society by innovation, experimentation and striving to add new colors to life by improving its standard. Thus it is the efficient cause of social change.

6. Public administration and crisis:

Crises, whether in the shape of natural calamities such as floods or earth quacks or human-engineered disasters like war and terrorism, affects every aspect of life negatively. During these trying situations, every spare of activity falls in the domain of public administration. It not only tries to protect the country from external threats but also safeguards it from internal enemies such as traitors, saboteurs, and non-state actors who try to destabilize the country from within. The responsibility of breaking or making directly falls upon the should of public administration in such a situation. If they respond effectively and cautiously, the country is safe from the threats. 

In a nutshell, Public administration engulfs all the aspects of social life by improving it and bring a positive change in it. By assisting policy ministers and quality implementation, it helps the machinery of the government to run smoothly. It not only shoulders the responsibility of safeguarding the country from foreign pressures but also keeps the peace intact internally in calamities.