How Good Leadership and Management Methods Can Help to Address Problems

Introduction

When some look at politics and administration, they see opposing views that should not overlap, but others see two individual concepts that work together cohesively to solve problems. Politics looks at policies and issues within a group, and administration has to do with the execution of the policies, making these two concepts inseparable. Without administration, politics would remain stagnant, and policies would never be put into motion to solve issues. However, not everyone shares these views.

Theoretical Perspectives on Politics and Administration

Beginning with the founders in 1787, there was the opinion that the government had too much power and the law should reign supreme, called the Madisonian Perspective after James Madison. Madison stated that the government was to be “administered by men, over men,” highlighting the need for a just government to control the governed (Hamilton et al., 1788). As America began to modernize around 1887, Woodrow Wilson introduced the Wilsonian Perspective, which aimed to separate administration from politics and make the government more businesslike (Wilson, 1887). He envisioned two governing functions: political decision and administrative action. Henri Fayol and Frederick Wilson Taylor were highly influential among proponents of the Wilsonian Perspective, advocating for increased productivity in administration when removed from political influence.

After World War II, the Rooseveltian Perspective emerged, emphasizing the necessity of political skills to succeed in the public sector. This evolution in thought demonstrates the dynamic relationship between politics and administration over time.

Case Study: Michelle Rhee

These theoretical perspectives bring us to the story of Michelle Rhee, the first chancellor of the District of Columbia’s Public Schools. Hired in 2007 by Mayor Adrian Fenty to reform a school system ranked among the lowest in the nation, she knew immediate action was necessary. Rhee began by interviewing principals and reviewing teachers, with a clear message: raise test scores or face termination (Turque, 2010). At the end of the year, she demonstrated her seriousness by dismissing nearly 900 employees, including teachers, principals, teaching aides, and central office employees.

This decisive action brought her into conflict with the politics of the school board and the community. Facing opposition from angry parents and officials, Rhee remained steadfast in her goal: providing a more cohesive learning environment for the children, regardless of the consequences. To obtain the authority required to dismiss central office employees she deemed ineffective, she reached out to the city council, lobbying for votes. With just enough support, she transcended her role as a school chancellor to become a political figure as well. This illustrates how politics and administration work together to achieve results.

Despite skepticism regarding the need to close schools and overhaul educational goals, Rhee saw students who needed more opportunities for success. Recognizing the existing infrastructure's failure, she was determined to offer these students what they deserved. When she started, graduation rates were below 50%, but by the time she ended her tenure as chancellor, the numbers had grown significantly. Rhee exemplifies why separating administration and politics does not work effectively.

Conclusion

In the first two chapters of Managing the Public Sector by Grover Starling, we have explored the importance of policies and policymaking. Policymakers require resources, external support, and professionalism to succeed. They need people to believe in their efforts to secure monetary sponsorship, camaraderie with fellow political leaders, or simply a vote. To achieve these objectives, one must employ effective political strategies paired with management strategies to accomplish their goals (Starling, 2008).

References

Hamilton, A., Madison, J., & Jay, J. (1788). The Federalist Papers. New York: J. and A. McLean.

Starling, G. (2008). Managing the Public Sector. Cengage Learning.

Turque, B. (2010). The Reformer: Michelle Rhee's Battle to Save America's Schools. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Wilson, W. (1887). The study of administration. Political Science Quarterly, 2(2), 197-222.