ABSTRACT
Many writers on public administration have engaged in a debate on how to define the "true nature" of public administration. The chapter illustrates the common principles and diverse forms of government and public administration. The conception is "government of the people and for the people, but not by the people". The public sector is defined as general government plus all public enterprises. Government production, regulation of price and access, or a breakup of the monopoly company is needed to approximate the outcome of a competitive market. The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) is the most comprehensive survey, along six dimensions: Voice and accountability, Political stability, Government effectiveness, Regulatory quality, Rule of Law, and Control of corruption. The essence of a good political system is not to make the inherent conflicts disappear, which is impossible, but to manage them in a peaceful manner and through a process which society as a whole believes to be fair and effective.
