Question

'The changes that took place in the world in 1990 brought in a rethinking in approaches to public administration'. Explain Points:

1. Globalisation of the world economy: The technological revolution.
2. International economic relations
3. International institutions
4. Non-state actors

Answer 1

Several changes took place in the world in 1990s. These changes include the following:

1. Globalisation of the world economy: Globalisation had several dimensions:
   (a) The technological revolution in the sector of communication brought in the internet, mobile communications, TV, etc. These developments and the growth of social networking brought in instant connectivity and transparency in the administrative system.
   (b) International economic relations changed, trade and investment became an important economic issue. This made international funding agencies more influential.
2. International economic relations: International economic relations changed, trade and investment became an important economic issue. This made international funding agencies more influential.
3. International Institutions: There is a growing influence of international funding agencies like International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund etc. These donor agencies now influenced the policies of the Third World countries. They wanted reforms in the traditional administrative setup of the countries that were seeking aid.
4. Non-state actors: Voluntary Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations started to play a greater role in public administration.
   These changes brought in a rethinking in approaches to public administration. It was felt that the traditional approaches of public administration would not satisfy the requirements of the citizens. This brought in a shift from public administration as an approach to governance. Governance approach is a break from the traditional model of public administration.

These reforms sought to revamp the traditional, archaic, elephantine sized public administration riddled with delays, red tape, and corruption. It aimed to replace these old systems with responsive, responsible, participative, equitable public administration. The new model is popularly called as ‘Good Governance’ model. This model also looks at the interlinkages between state (government), and civil society. This model wanted to make administration citizen centered and not rule bound.