ABSTRACT
We present the history of the field by taking a look at some of the major events and landmarks that have shaped it and are continuing to define its boundaries. Three observations bear mention. First, the forces or variables which drove the creation of a formal enterprise called public administration were quite different in the earlier years than the forces which later called into question the core values of the discipline and pushed for major changes. Second, the significance and relevancy of public administration for African Americans began to change considerably in the 1950s and 1960s. Finally, there is an enduring question of whether public administration has reflected and manifested meaningful change in education and practice that has resulted in a better quality of life for all Americans, not just a privileged few. We will address this issue more succinctly in Chapter 4.
