Answer:
APPROACH AND STRUCTURE
1. Write an introduction.
2. Write some basics about Wilson.
3. Then explain the need for efficiency.
4. Then why comparison was preferred.
5. Conclude.
NOTE: Elucidate command means there shouldn’t be criticism or counter arguments
INTRODUCTION: Woodrow Wlison wanted to establish an efficient administration. For this, he espoused merit based system and a separate discipline of PA differentiated from Political Science.
BODY: In his essay The Study of Administration, 1887 Wilson’s main concern was how to establish an efficient administration. It could be achieved through a separate discipline of PA.
WHY HE BECAME COMPARATIVE:
Out of curiosity to know what weere the conditions of other administrative systems. He was not happy with the state of affairs of addministration in US. He came under the influence of German Scholars like Bluntschli and Elly who profoundly shaped the thought of Wilson.
He was open to learn from others which resulted into adoption of a comparative approach. He tried to know practices in other administrative systems like Prussia, Austria. Germany, etc. He wanted to found an efficient administrative system and was quite impressed by European administrative system.
This gave rise to a comparative approach open to other practices. Administration in Europe was far ahead of USA. The European countries were authoritarian and it was need of the monarchic system to have a tight and close grip over the administration. Otherwise, it might result into dissent of public and eventually threat to the monarchy.
America on the other hand was a land of democracy. It focussed more on defining, redefining and reforming the Constitution. In short, Americans focused more on Constitution rather than administration. So he thoght that USA could learn from the European systems to improve efficiency.
Wilson is referred as the first comparative theorist. Wilson believed that in order to bring about a reform in administration, a comparative approach should be adopted. American administration can be reformed and improve by comparing it with European administration.
He observed that American administration can be complemented by adopting good features of European administration. He never meant an imitation to European administration so he recognised that the lessons learnt from other countries would have to be filtered through the cultural lense of American administration.
Wilson remarked that through comparison, the constitution is put under the slow fire of criticism and distills away the foreign gases.
CONCLUSION:Even if Wilson was concerned about US administration and wanted to reform it, but he had a broad and open outlook which can be regarded as ecological perspective. His thesis led the development of Comparative Administration Group in 1960s headed by F.W.Riggs to do comparative studies which has helpd in improving understanding about the challenges of runing government efficiently.
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