Significance of Public Administration in developing countries

Significance of Public Administration in developing countries:-

Public administration has become an essential segment of modem society, which has witnessed the emergence of what administrative thinkers call as 'Administrative State'. This means that every activity of individuals from 'Womb to tomb' is regulated and controlled by the State agencies, that is, the administrative agencies. The significance of  public administration is increasing day by day as it has encompassed many new concepts within its fold. The functions, which it performs have expanded in scale, range and nature and is still increasing. It is necessary for not only maintaining public order, social security, welfare and economic infrastructure but also for the delivery of goods in terms  of services like safety, utilities and enforcement of contractual obligations as also for ensuring the rule of law and treating all the citizens equally. Its nature, contents and scope – all go to make it the ‘heart of the problem of modern governments.

Public Administration is of utmost importance for the developing countries which has laid  down for itself numerous plans and programmes of social and economic development. In developing democracies like India, which is striving hard to provide happiness and prosperity to its large number of grieving and impoverished population, public 

administration has not only become the instrument of change and development but also a powerful agency for achieving national integration.

As an instrument of change and development, especially in developing countries like India, public administration has successfully implemented various development programmes like community development, poverty eradication, employment guarantee schemes, housing schemes, rural connectivity, rural electrification, healthcare schemes and so on. As a result, “public administration has definitely changed the face of rural India by providing the basic minimum services and facilities to the rural poor and improving their living conditions. As an instrument of national integration, it has played a very important role in rehabilitating the refugees after partition as also integrating the princely states with the Indian territory”.

Public administration is a great stabilizing force in a society. Governments come and go  but the administration does not change. In this way, it provides continuity and linkages between the old and new policies and programmes. In a diverse country like India, public administration becomes all the more important because it acts as a harmonizing and integrating force. It has brought the people of different caste, class, community and religion on a common platform. In other words, it has created an environment where people with varied backgrounds can live together. In a way, it has also provided stability and strength to Indian democracy.

Role and Importance of Public Adminstration - 

1. It is the basis of Government - 

It is possible for a state to exist without a legislature or judiciary; but 

not even the most backward state can do without administrative 

machinery. The modern state cannot confine its field of activities to 

merely maintenance of law and order, dispensation of Justice, 

collection of revenue and taxes and participation in welfare 

activities. The modern welfare state is expected to provide more 

and more services and amenities to the people. Public 

Adminstration is the machinery used by the state to place itself in a 

position to make plans and programmes that can be carried out. 

2. It is the instrument of change in the society - 

Public Adminstration is regarded as an instrument of change and is 

expected to accelerate the process of development. In our country, 

the government has undertaken the task of levelling down the 

economic inequalities, spreading education among all abolishing 

untouchability securing equality of status, rights of women and 

effective and all round economic and industrial development. The 

burden of carrying out these social changes in a planned and 

orderly way rests upon the Public Adminstration of the country. The 

success of Indian democracy will depend not only on the wisdom of 

the legislature but more on the capability and sense of purpose on 

the part of the Adminstration. 

3. It plays vital role in the life of the people - 

Today every aspect of human life come within the range of Public 

Adminstration. Various departments of government such as 

education, social welfare, food, agriculture, health, sanitation, 

transport, communication etc. are run by the department of Public 

Adminstration. Thus Public Adminstration is rendering various types 

of services to the people from birth to death of an individual. 

4. It is a stabilizing force in the society as it provides continuity 

Public Adminstration is carried on by the civil servants who are the 

permanent executives. Political executives i.e. ministers may come 

and go, systems of government or constitutions may under go 

change but administation goes on for ever. Hence, Public Adminstration is a great stabilising force in society. It is a preserver 

of the society and its culture. 

5. It is instrument of national integration in the developing 

countries which are facing classwars

Conclusion 

The twenty first century, has ushered in a major transformation in the role of the State. 

Public administration that emerged as a part of the law and order state moved on to 

become the welfare state and has now been transformed to a Corporatist State. The 

market forces have entered in those domains which was earlier the exclusive jurisdiction 

of the State bringing about a change in the role of the State. From a doer it has become 

a facilitator and a regulator. To sum up, public administration plays a very important role 

in modern society. 

Public administration is the basis of government whether in monarchy or in democracy 

or in a dictatorship. It is the instrument for executing the laws, policies and programmes 

formulated by the state as also the instrument for bringing social-economic change and

development, especially in the so-called 'Third World' countries, which are engaged in 

the process of social-welding and nation-building. It is also an instrument of national 

integration particularly in the developing countries which are facing the challenges of 

sub-nationalism, secessionism, class wars, and so on.

The success of governement is dependent on the ability of public 

administration. The future of civilized government rests upon the 

ability, to develop a service and philosophy and a practice of 

administration competent to discharge the Public functions of 

civilized society.