Frank J. Goodnow, (circa. 1890), in his book in part claimed a distinction between politics and administration as “the expression of the will of the state and the execution of that will.” In his later chapters, however, he differentiated the functions of administration. He thought that some functions should be subject to political control, whereas others should be free of politics; for example he concluded that certain kinds of offices should be politically appointed and removable, whereas others should be protected by civil service tenure.
What did Goodnow mean by “the expression of the will of the state and the execution of that will”?
Which aspect of criminal justice administrations should be under political control and what aspects should be free from politics, in your opinion? Explain and give examples.
Full Answer Section
Goodnow also argued that politics and administration should be separate to protect the neutrality of the bureaucracy. He believed that if administrators were subject to political control, they would be more likely to make decisions based on political considerations rather than the public interest.
In the context of criminal justice, the following aspects should be under political control:
- Setting sentencing guidelines
- Deciding which crimes to prioritize
- Allocating resources to law enforcement agencies
These are all decisions that involve making policy and setting priorities. They should be made by elected officials who are accountable to the public.
The following aspects of criminal justice should be free from politics:
- Investigating crimes
- Prosecuting cases
- Adjudicating cases
- Sentencing offenders
These are all functions that require the application of expertise and neutrality. They should be carried out by career professionals who are not subject to political interference.
Of course, there is no clear dividing line between politics and administration. Some aspects of criminal justice, such as parole decisions, may involve both policy and implementation. In these cases, it is important to strike a balance between political control and administrative neutrality.
Here are some examples of how the political and administrative aspects of criminal justice can be distinguished:
- The decision to legalize marijuana is a political decision that should be made by elected officials.
- The implementation of a new law legalizing marijuana is an administrative decision that should be made by career professionals.
- The decision to prosecute a particular crime is a political decision that may be influenced by public opinion or the priorities of the prosecutor.
- The investigation of a crime is an administrative decision that should be made by law enforcement professionals based on the evidence.
- The adjudication of a criminal case is an administrative decision that should be made by a judge or jury based on the law and the evidence.
- The sentencing of a convicted offender is a political decision that may be influenced by the severity of the crime, the offender's criminal history, and the public's perception of justice.
The distinction between politics and administration is not always clear-cut, but it is an important concept in public administration. By understanding the difference between these two concepts, we can better ensure that our government is effective and accountable.
Sample Answer
Goodnow's distinction between politics and administration is based on the idea that the government has two main functions: to make policy and to implement policy. Politics is the process of making policy, which involves setting goals, deciding priorities, and allocating resources. Administration is the process of implementing policy, which involves carrying out the day-to-day operations of government.
Goodnow argued that politics and administration should be separate because they require different skills and expertise. Politics requires the ability to make decisions that are in the public interest, even if they are not popular. Administration requires the ability to implement policies effectively and efficiently.