Administrative Thinkers  (English, Paperback, Prasad D Ravindra)

Administrative Thinkers covers administrative theory through a look at the life and ideas of many thinkers who have made major contributions to this field of study.

Summary Of The Book

With increasing interest in the subject of public administration as a field of study, there is demand for more books that cover the ideas and philosophies that define this field. This is one of the books that addresses this need.

Administrative Thinkers bridges the gap between various administrative theories and the thinkers who evolved and presented those philosophies and principles. This book covers 21 of these great personalities in the field of Public Administration.

Beginning with an introductory chapter that explains the scientific evolution and presentation of theories, the book goes on to cover the biographies and ideas of various thinkers in the field of politics, economy and public administration.

The book begins with Kautilya, the ancient Indian master of statecraft and economics. His famous Arthasastra deals with the creation and management of wealth and the art and science of governance. Next, the book looks at former US President Woodrow Wilson's contribution towards identifying and establishing public administration as a specialized discipline.

It then goes on to discuss Henri Fayol and F. W. Taylor who presented administrative theories mainly from a management perspective. The next chapter focuses on Max Weber and his analysis of the concept of authority. He categorized authority into three different types, traditional, charismatic and legal-rational. He identified bureaucracy as belonging to the last type.

The book then looks at Gulick and Urwick who systematized the field of public administration and administrative management. In similar vein, the book proceeds to discuss the contributions of other thinkers like Karl Marx, Herbert A. Simon, Frederick Herzberg, Abraham Maslow, Mary Parker Follett, and Chris Argyris.

Administrative Thinkers presents an overview of the life history of each personality. It then lucidly and concisely presents their ideas and philosophies. This followed by a critical evaluation of their ideas and contributions to the field of Public Administration.

About The Authors

D. Ravindra Prasad is a Professor at Osmania University.

D. Ravindra Prasad has an M.A. in Public Administration. He also has a Doctorate. He was awarded a Senior Fulbright Fellowship by the USEFI in 1986. He is currently the Professor of Public Administration at Osmania University in Hyderabad. He is also the Director of the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies at the University.

V. S. Prasad is a prominent educationist, interested in the development of Distance Education resources.

V. S. Prasad was born in 1943 in Andhra Pradesh. He has a postgraduate degree and a doctorate from Osmania University. He has over 35 years of academic experience, teaching at various universities across the country. He also played a major role in organizing and giving proper structure to distance education programs at institutions like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University and the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Y. Pardhasaradhi is a Professor at Osmania University.

Pardhasaradhi’s qualifications include an M.A, M.Phil and a PhD. He has taught Public Administration and Management courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Osmania University.