Welcome to the module of Public Administration Theory – a foundation module on the Masters in Public Administration Programme within the School of Management, IT and Governance of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. I hope you find this module academically rewarding and that it forms a firm foundation for further study in Public Administration and Governance. Specifically, however, I hope the module contributes to making you a functional and responsible public servant who is critically engaged with society and acutely aware of the contribution of public service to a just and caring society.
This course explores key theories and frameworks shaping Public Administration and Management, emphasising their relevance in South Africa and Africa more broadly. It follows a structured progression from foundational theories to governance and policy implementation, linking theory to real-world applications in the public sector. Beginning with Classic Theories such as Weber’s bureaucracy and Taylor’s scientific management, the course examines how Institutional Theory explains the structures, rules, and norms governing public administration in South Africa. This section also considers the legislative, governmental, judicial, and administrative institutions that define governance in South Africa, including the role of traditional authorities and customary law.
The second part of the course introduces Organizational and Decision-Making Approaches, focusing on Organization and System Theory to analyse how public institutions function within complex environments. Public Choice Theory and Principal-Agent Theory provide insights into accountability, corruption, and governance challenges in South Africa and Africa, where political and economic incentives shape service delivery. The governance and reform section examines the shift from traditional bureaucracy to New Public Management (NPM), assessing the impact of market-based reforms, privatization, and performance-driven administration in the public sector. It also explores Intergovernmental Relations and Network Governance, highlighting public-private partnerships, donor agencies, and civil society actors in governance.
The course concludes with Public Policy and Administration, linking theoretical perspectives to policy-making and implementation. Students engage with case studies on South Africa’s developmental state agenda (land reform, local governance, rural development etc) and regional institutions like the AU and SADC. The course equips students with critical tools to navigate governance complexities, emphasising the need for context-specific administrative innovations that balance global theories with local realities. Through theoretical analysis and practical case studies, students will develop a deeper understanding of how public administration can drive sustainable development, improved service delivery, and institutional resilience across Africa.
- Teacher: Betty Mubangizi
