http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/17/AR2010101703866.html
Here is a survey that should be very disconcerting for many of us in the MPA program. The basic idea of public organizations is that they exist to serve the public needs. In my rather idealistic point on view, I view governmental organizations are serving a “public good.” The role of many government organizations is to protect the overall “good” from being destroyed by a narrowly focused interest. I’m thinking specifically of government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Protecting the environment benefits a far larger number of people than allowing it’s destruction for business short-lived business interests.
Frequently, these agencies come under attack from people and organizations for good reasons, but more frequently get attacked by well funded corporations with narrow interests or the public just does not understand the long term implications of the short term thinking. I’m thinking specifically the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. The long term effects of global warming should far outweigh the short-term desire to make a profit through destroying the environment, but this is not always the case. Going back to my previous post, how does a government organization work with an ill-informed public? Does the public ignorance feed the negative feelings towards government workers, is it poor communication from the agencies, or is merely a manifestation of the anger percolating among Americans due to a stagnant economy?
The survey in the article finds that “half [of respondents] say the men and women who keep the government running do not work as hard as employees at private companies.” To make such a bold claim to me is absurd. I would venture it is safe to say very few of those respondents have actually worked for the government or know anybody who does. To make such a bold claim without knowing the facts is beyond ridiculous to me. People who are working on a master’s degree in public administration need to understand why people could believe this and work to end this type of thinking.
Here is a survey that should be very disconcerting for many of us in the MPA program. The basic idea of public organizations is that they exist to serve the public needs. In my rather idealistic point on view, I view governmental organizations are serving a “public good.” The role of many government organizations is to protect the overall “good” from being destroyed by a narrowly focused interest. I’m thinking specifically of government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. Protecting the environment benefits a far larger number of people than allowing it’s destruction for business short-lived business interests.
Frequently, these agencies come under attack from people and organizations for good reasons, but more frequently get attacked by well funded corporations with narrow interests or the public just does not understand the long term implications of the short term thinking. I’m thinking specifically the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. The long term effects of global warming should far outweigh the short-term desire to make a profit through destroying the environment, but this is not always the case. Going back to my previous post, how does a government organization work with an ill-informed public? Does the public ignorance feed the negative feelings towards government workers, is it poor communication from the agencies, or is merely a manifestation of the anger percolating among Americans due to a stagnant economy?
The survey in the article finds that “half [of respondents] say the men and women who keep the government running do not work as hard as employees at private companies.” To make such a bold claim to me is absurd. I would venture it is safe to say very few of those respondents have actually worked for the government or know anybody who does. To make such a bold claim without knowing the facts is beyond ridiculous to me. People who are working on a master’s degree in public administration need to understand why people could believe this and work to end this type of thinking.
-Brandon Smith
Even worse is that students don't want to work for government. David Brooks recently wrote:
ReplyDelete"Some of these young men and women fervently want to change the world. But the realms of government and politics seem mostly futile to them. This is something I have sensed from many students at many institutions. Yes to civic organizations and nongovernment organizations. No to politics and government.". See blog at:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/college-kids-these-days/?hp
John