Posted: June 12th, 2015

Discussion Questions

Please answer each question, no special format needed just need to know which question goes with what answer Question

Question 1
Based on your analysis of “The Blast in Centralia No. 5,” what are some generalizations that you could make on the importance of public administration for society? List at least two pros and at least two cons of having a strong and effective administrative system to perform essential services in society.
Question 2
Think about your own organization or one of which you are very familiar. Where do you see evidence of Max Weber’s concept of bureaucracy? Remember that Weber’s description is an ideal-type based on “legal-rational” authority. Stillman notes, “legal-rational authority vests power in the office rather than in the person who occupies the office; thus anyone can rule as long as he or she comes to office ‘according to the rules’.” (p. 55)
What aspects of bureaucracy in your organization is positive? What are some of the downsides to those bureaucratic characteristics?
Question 3
According to the case, what are the sources of bureaucratic failure? What might you recommend to remedy the problems outlined in the case? What would you say about the paradox that bureaucratic organizations are so fundamental and important in public life, yet do disliked in general?
Question 4
Give two or three reasons why Gaus believes that knowledge of the general environment is so critical for public administrators? Thinking about the two cases we have read to date, what might be the price paid for the failure of organizations to respond swiftly and correctly to external environmental change?