Public Administration and Governance - One Line Questions

1. The 'principal-agent problem' in Public Administration arises when: Agents have more information than principals and may not act in the principals' best interest
2. The principle of 'unity of command' suggests that: An employee should receive orders from only one supervisor
3. Which of the following is a key characteristic of 'good governance' as defined by international organizations? Inclusiveness and equity
4. Which approach views the public organization as a system with interconnected parts and an environment? Systems Theory
5. The Hawthorne studies are most associated with which theoretical development in Public Administration? Human Relations Theory
6. The 'New Public Management' (NPM) approach, which gained prominence in the late 20th century, advocates for: Market-oriented reforms, competition, and performance measurement
7. Which concept emphasizes the need for public organizations to adapt to their external environment? Open-system thinking
8. Decentralization in governance means: Transferring authority and responsibility from central government to lower levels
9. The concept of 'red tape' in Public Administration typically refers to: Excessive bureaucracy, rigid adherence to rules, and delays
10. Which principle of governance ensures that decision-making processes are open to scrutiny? Transparency
11. Participatory governance emphasizes: Involving citizens and stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation
12. The concept of 'street-level bureaucracy' refers to: Public officials who interact directly with citizens (e.g., police officers, teachers)
13. Which theory of Public Administration focuses on the scientific management of tasks and efficiency? Scientific Management
14. The concept of 'administrative discretion' allows public officials to: Make choices and judgments within the boundaries of their legal authority
15. Public policy analysis involves: Studying the process of policy-making, implementation, and evaluation
16. The role of public administration in a democracy includes: Implementing the will of the people as expressed through elected representatives
17. The concept of 'administrative reform' aims to: Improve the structure, processes, and performance of public administration
18. Performance management in Public Administration focuses on: Measuring and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public services
19. The 'bureaucratic model' developed by Max Weber is characterized by: Formal rules, hierarchy, and impersonality
20. Max Weber's concept of bureaucracy emphasized which of the following characteristics? Clear hierarchy, division of labor, and impersonality
21. What is the significance of 'rule of law' in governance? It ensures that everyone, including the government, is subject to and accountable under the law
22. The 'iron triangle' in Public Administration refers to the relationship between: Legislative committees, interest groups, and administrative agencies
23. Which of the following is a challenge in Public Administration? Bureaucratic inefficiency and red tape
24. What is the main focus of the 'New Public Service' (NPS) model as a critique of NPM? Public values, citizenship, and democratic governance
25. Which organizational structure is characterized by multiple layers of management and a clear chain of command? Hierarchical structure
26. Who is often considered the 'father' of Public Administration for his essay 'The Study of Administration'? Woodrow Wilson
27. The 'budgetary process' in Public Administration involves: Planning, drafting, enacting, and executing the government's financial plan
28. What does 'service delivery' in Public Administration entail? The provision of public goods and services to citizens
29. Which of these is a core principle of governance? Rule of Law
30. Ethical considerations in Public Administration pertain to: The moral principles and values guiding public officials' conduct
31. Which term describes the process by which citizens hold public officials answerable for their actions? Accountability
32. The principle of 'separation of policy and administration' was a foundational idea in early Public Administration theory. This concept suggests: Administration should be free from political influence and focus on efficiency.
33. Which of the following is an example of a public good that Public Administration is responsible for providing? National defense
34. What is the core concept of Public Administration? The implementation of government policy
35. The 'post-NPM' or 'new public governance' paradigm emphasizes: Collaboration, networks, and citizen co-production
36. Which of the following is a tool for ensuring citizen participation in governance? Public hearings and consultations
37. Which of the following is a key function of Public Administration? Developing and executing public policy
38. The study of Public Administration originated primarily from which discipline? Political Science
39. The Human Relations School of thought, pioneered by Elton Mayo, highlighted the importance of: Social and psychological factors in the workplace
40. Accountability in Public Administration refers to: The obligation of public officials to explain and justify their actions
41. Administrative law governs: The operations and decision-making of administrative agencies
42. The concept of 'discretionary power' in Public Administration refers to: The freedom of public officials to make judgments within certain limits
43. In Public Administration, 'policy implementation' refers to: The process of putting public policies into action
44. The principle of 'span of control' in organizational theory relates to: The number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise
45. What does 'public interest' generally refer to in Public Administration? The collective well-being and welfare of society
46. E-governance refers to: The use of electronic technology to deliver government services and information
47. What is the primary purpose of a public audit? To ensure financial accountability and efficient use of public funds
48. What is the primary goal of good governance? To ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation
49. What is the primary objective of regulatory agencies? To oversee and enforce rules and standards within specific sectors
50. The 'theory of comparative administration' seeks to: Understand administrative systems in different countries and cultures