President Woodrow’s argument that politicians should only make the general decisions in governing the country while the administrators and technocrats are left to formulate the policy and make the tactical and specific decisions was a valid argument. This is because most politicians lack the amount of skill and experience that the administrators have in specific areas of administration (Stillman 16). Most of the administrators have received formal education in public administration and other areas such as financial management, policy formulation and security management which most elected officials lack. This is also necessary because most politicians make their decisions to please the public while most administrators have the general good of the country in mind while making decisions. Elected officials should hence assist in making strategic decisions and setting objectives for various arms of the government while leaving the tactical and more specific decisions to the administrators.
Public opinion should play an integral role in making bureaucratic decisions. However, the administrators should understand that at times the public is misinformed on certain issues and hence where the majority lie is not always the right thing for the country (Stillman 279). Administrators should consider the public’s opinion regarding various issues but should analyze this opinion in context. Also, a clear distinction should be made between the public’s contribution to policy formulation and not allowing the public meddle in policy formulation. Though the government and other democratic institutions are put in place to serve the people, it should be understood that the reason leaders are elected or appointed to be in government is that they can lead because everybody cannot be a leader. When this is understood then it is clear that the leaders and administrators should be left to make some policy formulation decisions without public interference for the good of the country.
Works Cited
Stillman, Richard. Public Administration: Concepts and Cases. New York: Wadsworth
Publishing, 2009. Print.
