Political oversight of public administration refers to the ability of the arms of the government to review the decisions and conduct of government agencies and public officials. Oversight of public administration is a role of Congress. However, Congress has been faced by certain challenges in executing this role, these include lack of priority, secrecy and biasness.
Despite the fact that congress is tasked by the oversight role, oversight falls far much below congressional priorities (Kettle, 2014 p.96). Oversight does minimal to enhance the reputation of a member of congress for possible re-election. Much of what congress prefers to do is supervision of administrative actions since it earns members popularity. The implication of lack of prioritizing oversight makes accountability and responsibility in public administration becomes questionable (Kettle, 2014 p.137). Poor service delivery is more likely to set in if oversight is not conducted.
Secrecy in the conduct of foreign affairs, the planning of military strategy and tactics, and the pursuit of intelligence activities is also a barrier to oversight on these public administration entities (Kettle, 2014 p. 88). Subsequently, accountability and responsibility becomes difficult to determine in such events since congress is not even aware of some dealings.
Political oversight is conducted by the executive, president’s office or judiciary. The executive is comprised of members from different parties. Depending on which party is in charge, there are those that are in government and those that are in opposition. Depending on whose political will the public administrative entity is acting, it is likely to get some protection or opposition. Biasness emanating from such political will also determines how oversight is conducted. The extent to which the administrative entity goes to enforce their objective might be protected by the executive and therefore might not be fully scrutinized for accountability or responsibility (Kettle, 2014 p.165).
Reference
Kettle, D. (2014). Politics of the administrative process. Los Angeles: CQ Press.
