Is public administration struggling in higher education? Evidence from the united states scenario

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the health of the public administration discipline in the US higher education system. In particular, it debates two possible alternatives: decline or reposition. The paper analyzes the academic offers of political science, public policy, and public administration programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The Results highlight that the public administration discipline is currently at a crucial point. The core attention within both governments and higher education is more focused on politics and policies than on management. Accordingly, this scenario has two main effects. First, it creates an imbalance between the political discourse, the formulation/execution of public policies, and the managing of effective public sector organizations. Second, it might lead the discipline of public administration into a decline. Nevertheless, public administration can find a reposition within social sciences by developing more openness and a process of cross-contamination with other humanistic disciplines.