Politics of Bureaucracy

PA 4396
University of Texas at Dallas
School of Social Sciences
Spring 2006

Instructor
Karabi C. Bezboruah
GR 2.512
972-883-4916 (O)
Email: karabib@gmail.com (preferred)
Office hours: Thursdays 4pm to 5pm or by appointment

Class Meetings:
Every Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2pm – 3.15pm at CBW 1.105

Course Objectives:
This course seeks to provide the students with an in-depth knowledge of some the major
issues in bureaucracy. It focuses on understanding the internal processes and politics of public
administration as well as some of the external factors that plays an important role in the dynamic
world of public administration. This course will discuss varied topics such as administrators as
policymakers, role of ethics and accountability and external intervention in the daily activities of
the policymakers in order to explore the challenges faced by public administrators in the
organization and management of public agencies.

This course has been designed as an interactive course where the students shall not be
subjected to monotonous lecture series in every class. In order to make the class more
productive, students are expected to attend classes and be punctual. They should actively take
part in class discussions, complete all assignments on time, and submit original and quality work.
This course is a mixture of lectures by the instructor and presentations by students. There will be
formal exams only if the need arises.

Required Textbooks:

1. Peters, B. Guy. 2001. The Politics of Bureaucracy, 5th edition. London: Routledge.
ISBN: 0415194776 (BGP)

2. Gormley, William T. and Steven J. Balla. 2004. Bureaucracy and Democracy:

Accountability and Performance. Washington DC: CQ Press. ISBN: 1-56802-760-5
(G&B)

3. Wilson, James Q. Bureaucracy: What Government Agencies Do and Why They Do It.
2000. Basic Books. (Paperback) ISBN: 0465007856. (JQW)
Grading will be as follows:
Attendance: 10%
Participation in class discussions: 20%
Assignments & Presentations: 35%
Final Paper: 35%

Exams: There might be two tests that will be informed one week in advance.

Important Note for Papers: All assignments and final paper will be graded on their quality and
originality. The papers should reflect the student’s understanding of the subject as well as their
opinion on the piece. The paper can be written in any format (MLA, APA) but the language
should be English. The papers are to be in 12-point roman type, double-spaced on one side of the
page with margins of one inch.

Assignments: All assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the class on the due date.
Students are expected to write a short summary (3 to 5 pages) and their opinion on the assigned
work and be prepared to present it in class and discuss it with their classmates. The due dates for
assigned works are highlighted in the class schedule. In addition, the topics for the assignments
are denoted with a * mark on the schedule. There will be two groups writing and presenting
the assignments alternately.

Final Paper: The Final paper should be turned in personally in paper format as well as in
electronic format on April 18, 2006 before 4 pm. Students must choose a topic that has been
discussed in class and get the instructor’s approval before writing it. Additionally, students are
required to submit a one-page outline of the topic intended for the research paper on March
14.There will be individual presentations of the draft research papers where the students will
receive feedback from the instructor and their classmates and the paper has to be turned in on
April 18. The final paper should not be more than 10 pages in length and students must cite the
three textbooks as well as articles from peer-reviewed journals. More details later.

Late papers and assignments: Late papers will be penalized as follows:

1 day late: 20% reduction from the total grade
2 days late: 50% reduction from the total grade
3 days late: 80 % reduction from the total grade
4 days late: shall not be accepted at all.

Note: Exceptions to this policy will be made only in genuine medical cases and with
appropriate documentation from a medical professional.

Reminder:
i. Students are required to write four summaries and present it in class on the due dates.
ii. Due dates are highlighted in the class schedule
iii. An outline of the final paper is to be turned in on Mar 14.
iv. Draft Final Papers should be presented on April 6th and 11th
v. Final papers are to be turned in on April 18, 2006
University Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:
The university’s policies on academic dishonesty are strictly adhered to in this course and hence
will not be tolerated. Any student found to be involved in cheating or plagiarizing will be
penalized as per UTD’s policies.
For more details on academic integrity, logon to
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/scholastic.html and
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/catalog/undergrad03

Disclaimer: This syllabus is tentative and subject to revision by the instructor at any point
during the semester.

Class Schedule, Readings, and Discussion Topics:

Jan 10: Introduction; review of the topics to be discussed in class.

Topic I: Bureaucracy: underpinnings

Jan 12: The persistence, growth, and change of government and administration
BGP Chapter 1

Jan 17: Bureaucratic reasoning

G&B Chapter 2

Jan 19: Bureaucratic Reasoning (continued)

G&B Chapter 2

Jan 24 Recruitment of Public Administrators*

BGP Chapter 3 (Group A)

Jan 26: Organizations *

JQW Chapters 1 and 2 (Group B)

Jan 31: Paying for government: the budgetary process

BGP Chapter 7

Topic II: Administrative Culture and Problems

Feb 2: Problems of administrative structure

BGP Chapter 4
Problems
JQW Chapter 17

Feb 7: Political culture and public administration

BGP Chapter 2 (Group A)

Feb 9: Culture *
 JQW Chapter 6 (Group B)

Topic III: Bureaucratic Accountability

Feb 14: Bureaucracies as Policymaking Organizations

G&B Chapter 1

Feb 16: The politics of administrative accountability

BGP Chapter 8

Feb 21: Bureaucracy and the Public Interest *

JQW Chapter 20 (Group A)

Topic IV: Networks

Feb 23: Politics and public administration

BGP Chapter 5

Feb 28: Networks*

G&B Chapter 5 (Group B)

Topic V: Inside Bureaucracy

Mar 2: Politics of bureaucracy

BGP Chapter 6

Mar 7 & 10: Spring Break

Mar 14: Bureaucracy’s bosses

G&B Chapter 3
An outline of the topic for the research paper is due on this day.

Mar 16: Bureaucracy’s Clients

G&B Chapter 4

Topic VI: Administrative Reform

Mar 21: Administrative Reform

BGP Chapter 9

Mar 23: Bringing the Theoretical Frameworks Together *

G&B Chapter 6 (Group A)

Mar 28: G&B Chapter 6 (Continued)* (Group B)

Mar 30: Why are some bureaucracies better than others?

 G&B Chapter 7

April 4: Public administration in the 21st century

BGP Chapter 10

April 6: Final Paper presentation

April 11: Final Paper presentation (continued)

April 13: No class

April 18: Final Papers due before 4pm.

Enjoy the semester break!

Group A:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Group B:
1.
2.
3.
4.