New Public Service

New public service

1. New Public Service ‘SERVING, NOT STEERING’ Public servants do not deliver customer service; they deliver democracy.

2. “New Public Service,” A movement built on work in areas such as.. D emocratic citizenship- Democratic ideals Community and civil society, Organizational humanism Discourse theory. The NPS asserts that the primary role of the public servant is to help citizens articulate and meet their shared interests rather than to attempt to control or steer society.

3. The Roots of the New Public Service

4. we will focus on more contemporary thoughts of the New Public Service, including; (1) theories of democratic citizenship, (2) models of community and civil society, (3) organizational humanism and the new public administration, and (4) postmodern public administration.

5. 1.Democratic Citizenship citizenship and democracy are particularly important and visible in political and social theory and practice. Both stress on more active and involved citizenship in political (Policy making)and administrative processes (policy implementation).

6. What is citizenship? Various definitions/aspects of citizenship…. citizenship is concerned with the individual’s capacity to influence the political system; it implies active involvement in political life.

7. there are different ways to understand what is involved in democratic citizenship… For example, one argument may be that government exists to advance the economic interests of the community and individuals within the community. In this case, the state-citizen relationship should be based on the idea of self-interest .

8. According to Sandel (1996) The relationship between state and citizens is based on the idea that government exists to ensure that citizens can make choices consistent with their self-interest. For which, the governments guarantee certain procedures (such as voting) and individual rights. The role of government is to make sure that the interplay of individual self-interests operates freely and fairly. This perspective is consistent with public choice economics and the New Public Management

9. Sandel also offers an alternative view of democratic citizenship in which; individuals are much more actively engaged in governance. Citizens look beyond their self-interest to the larger public interest It requires a knowledge of public affairs and a sense of belonging with the community. a concern for the whole, and a moral bond with the community

10. This level of public spirit can be promoted by constant attention to principles of; justice, public participation, and Deliberation The NPS emphasizes on restoration of a citizenship based on civic interests rather than self-interest. theories of citizenship and civic engagement, have contributed to what is called the New Public Service.

11. 2.Models of Community and Civil Society The roots of the New Public Service can be traced in discussions about community and civil society. Gardner writes “In our system, the ‘common good’ is first of all preservation of a system in which all kinds of people can—within the law—pursue their various visions of the common good, and Accomplish mutual accommodation that makes a social system livable and workable”.

12. there must be a philosophy of pluralism, an open climate for dissent, and an opportunity for sub-communities to retain their identity and share within the setting of larger group goals. For this, there must be institutional arrangements for; diminishing polarization, teaching diverse groups to know one another, coalition-building, dispute resolution, negotiation and mediation.

13. democracy is dependent on the existence of civically engaged citizens, active in all sorts of groups, associations, and governmental units… Collectively, these small groups constitute a “civil society” in which people need to work out their personal interests in the context of community interests. It can be done through community building

14. While interacting with these civic society groups, public administrators can build stronger networks, and educate citizens with respect to matters of democratic governance.

15. 3. Organizational Humanism and the New Public Administration A third important theoretical root of the New Public Service is organizational humanism. Rationality Vs Organizational Humanism New Public Administration, argued on behalf of social equity as a guiding principle in administrative and political decision making

16. providing equitable solutions to public problems involves not just offering the same services to all but greater levels of service to those in greater need. public administration is not neutral and certainly should not be judged by the criterion of efficiency alone. Rather, concepts such as equality, equity, and responsiveness should also come into play.

17. 4. Postmodernism A fourth important theoretical root of New Public Service is postmodernism. Public administration theorists employing the postmodern perspective of public administration attacks bureaucratic rationalism and technocratic expertise. In contrast, postmodern public administration theorists have a central commitment to the idea of “discourse,” (dialogue).. the notion that public problems are more likely resolved through discourse, community engagement and dialogue among key stakeholders.

18. The New Public Service Theorists of citizenship, community and civil society, organizational humanism and the new public administration, and postmodernism have helped to establish a climate in which it makes sense today to talk about a New Public Service.

19. 7-Principles of NPS 1. Serve Citizens, Not Customers 2. Seek the Public Interest 3. Value Citizenship over Entrepreneurship 4. Think Strategically, Act Democratically- 5. Recognize that Accountability Isn’t Simple 6. Serve Rather than Steer 7. Value People, Not Just Productivity

20. 1. Serve Citizens, Not Customers The public interest is the result of a dialogue about shared values rather than the aggregation of individual self-interests. Therefore, public servants do not merely respond to the demands of “customers,” Rather focus on building relationships of trust and collaboration with and among citizens

21. Building Relationships through Democratic Participation Democratic participation enhances the legitimacy of government. People who are involved in decision making are more likely to support those decisions and the institutions involved in making and implementing those decisions. A shared responsibility of governmental actions by the community and the public managers.

22. participation may take various forms; (1) access to information; (2) access, direct or indirect, to governmental forums of decision; (3) ability to open any issue to public discussion; (4) ability to assert one’s claims without fear of coercive retaliation from the public administrators; (5) consideration of all claims asserted”

23. 2. Seek the Public Interest: Public administrators must contribute to building a collective, shared notion of the public interest. The goal is not to find quick solutions driven by individual choices. Rather, it is the creation of shared interests and shared responsibility

24. 3. Value Citizenship over Entrepreneurship: The public interest is better advanced by public servants and citizens together rather than by entrepreneurial managers acting as if public money were their own. Profitability is not required in government operations rather public service for enhancement of public value Public servants do not deliver customer service; they deliver democracy.

25. 4. Think Strategically, Act Democratically Public Policies and programs meeting public needs can be most effectively and responsibly achieved through collective efforts and collaborative processes Public servants should be not only visionary but also democratic in their conduct of official duties. Public servants lead the nation/community by engaging it through formulating strategic goals for common welfare

26. 5. Recognize that Accountability Isn’t Simple Public servants should be attentive to more than the market; they should also attend to statutory and constitutional law, community values, political norms, professional standards, and citizen interests The accountability is not just performance based judged on 3 Es, or profitability In NPS, the concept of accountability is based on both professionalism and democratic pluralism.

27. 6. Serve Rather than Steer It is increasingly important for public servants to use shared, value-based leadership in helping citizens articulate and meet their shared interests rather than attempting to control or steer society in new directions.

28. 7. Value People, Not Just Productivity Public organizations and the networks in which they participate are more likely to be successful in the long run if they are operated through processes of collaboration and shared leadership based on respect for all people

29. How can the principles of the New Public Service be put into practice? The answer is, that practicing public administrators in particular jurisdictions and organizations are in the best position to consider the ways in which the principles of citizen engagement and democratic values can be instilled and enhanced in the governance process.

30. Conclusion As opposed to Woodrow Wilson, government shouldn’t be run like a business; it should be run like a democracy.