Decision-Making in Public Administration

Introduction to Decision-Making in Public Administration

• Brief overview of the significance of decision-making in public policy and administration.
• Importance of rationality, risk, and values in decision-making processes.

The Challenge of "Fake News" in Decision-Making

• Impact of misinformation and "fake news" on governmental decisions.
• Strategies for discerning reliable information in policy-making.

Rationality in Decision-Making

• Core principles of rational decision-making in public administration.
• Exploration of microeconomic theories and efficiency maximization.

Public Choice as an Alternative Theory

• Introduction to the public choice theory in decision-making.
• Understanding how market-like forces influence bureaucratic decisions.

Bargaining and Participative Decision-Making

• The role of bargaining in decision-making processes.
• Enhancing decision quality through participative approaches.

Understanding Risk in Public Policy Decisions

• The significance of risk management in policy-making.
• Approaches for anticipating and mitigating decision-making risks.

Information and Values in Decision-Making

• The intertwining of information quality and political values in decision-making.
• Balancing factual data and value judgments in administrative decisions.

Public Administration and Democratic Values

• The relationship between democracy, bureaucracy, and administrative discretion.
• Ensuring democratic principles in public administration decisions.

Contemporary Perspectives in Public Administration

• Modern trends in public administration, focusing on agency and culture.
• The influence of contemporary theories on administrative practices.

Reforming Government - Balancing Efficiency and Representation

• Strategies for making government more efficient and representative.
• Overview of initiatives like "Reinventing Government."

Conclusion - Towards a Future of Effective Decision-Making

• Summarizing key takeaways and future directions in public administration decision-making.
• Emphasis on continuous improvement and adaptation to changing environments.