Reforming public administration in Slovenia: between theory and practice of good governance and good administration

Abstract

Good administration has evolved in administrative theory and practice differently but within the concept of good governance, incorporating efficient and democratic authority with simultaneous implementation of public interest and guaranteed rights of defence to parties in administrative matters. In view of the above, a theoretical analysis of good administration in relation to good governance was conducted in 2015, with special research on the Slovene practices in various types of administrative agencies. Findings of the analysis based on views of heads of administrative units and regional financial and police offices, compared to statistical data, prove that Slovene administration consider good administration more as a compliance to formal requirements instead of proactive support of a party and public benefit. Hence, policy makers should consider in future public administration reforms the fact that value-based rather than purely structural and normative changes are needed.