UST 771

Political Philosophy and Public Administration

Examines the writings of major political philosophers and the way in which they have helped shape discourse in public administration. Students become more aware of the character of the presuppositions regarding the nature of a state, which undergird the writings of various public administration scholars. Ideas regarding the composition, authority, and engagements of government and administration, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens, are discussed drawing on original writings from different schools of philosophy, including rationalism, empiricism, positivism, utilitarianism, romanticism, pragmatism, idealism, analytical philosophy, phenomenology, and existentialism. Students are encouraged to see how these ideas can be discerned in the public administration literature and how they affect the way in which the character and tasks of contemporary public administration are viewed. Cross-listed with UST 831.

Units: 4.0