Q1
Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Imperfect market and political factors limit the application of Public Choice approach. Explain. (10 marks) (b) The fine art of decision-making is not making decisions that others can make. Comment. (10 marks) (c) Has the media nixed its role in holding the governments accountable and ensuring transparency? Argue. (10 marks) (d) Is Herbert Simon justified in criticizing some principles of administration as proverbs? Analyse. (10 marks) (e) Administrative Law has evolved from the need to create a system of Public Administration under law. Elucidate. (10 marks)
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक प्रश्न का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में लिखिए : (a) अपूर्ण बाजार और राजनीतिक घटक लोक चयन उपागम के अनुप्रयोग को सीमित करते हैं । समझाइए । (10 अंक) (b) निर्णय लेने की उत्कृष्ट कला वह निर्णय लेना नहीं है जो दूसरे ले सकते हैं । टिप्पणी कीजिए । (10 अंक) (c) क्या संचार माध्यमों ने सरकारों को जवाबदेह बनाने और पारदर्शिता सुनिश्चित करने की अपनी भूमिका को शून्य बना दिया है ? तर्क प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (10 अंक) (d) क्या हरबर्ट साइमन की प्रशासन के कतिपय सिद्धांतों की लोकोक्तियों के रूप में आलोचना न्यायसंगत है ? विश्लेषण कीजिए । (10 अंक) (e) प्रशासनिक विधि कानून के अधीन लोक प्रशासन की व्यवस्था को सुजित करने की आवश्यकता से उत्पन्न हुई है । स्पष्ट कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Directive word: Explain
This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
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How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
This multi-part question requires five distinct 150-word responses. For (a), explain how market failures and political realities constrain Public Choice theory's rational actor assumptions. For (b), comment on Barnard's principle of executive decision-making—delegating routine decisions while reserving strategic ones. For (c), argue whether media has abandoned accountability, citing both watchdog successes and 'paid news' failures. For (d), analyse Simon's critique of POSDCORB and Gulick's principles as contradictory proverbs. For (e), elucidate how Administrative Law emerged to control arbitrary state power, from Dicey's rule of law to modern judicial review. Allocate approximately 25-30 words per sub-part for introduction, 90-100 words for analytical body, and 20-25 words for conclusion. Maintain strict word discipline—exceeding limits attracts penalties.
Key points expected
- (a) Public Choice limitations: information asymmetry, bounded rationality, rent-seeking behavior, and political market failures that prevent efficient outcomes despite rational self-interest
- (b) Decision-making art: Barnard's distinction between routine/programmed decisions (delegable) and strategic/non-programmed decisions requiring executive judgment; avoiding decision fatigue
- (c) Media accountability: contrast between traditional Fourth Estate role (RTI activism, sting operations) versus contemporary challenges (corporate ownership, fake news, political partisanship)
- (d) Simon's proverb critique: principles like 'span of control' contradict 'minimum levels of hierarchy'; administrative principles are situation-dependent, not universal laws
- (e) Administrative Law evolution: from Dicey's opposition to droit administratif to modern Indian developments—Articles 32/226, tribunals, RTI Act 2005, Lokpal Act 2013 creating rule-bound administration
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concept correctness | 20% | 10 | Precisely defines Public Choice theory (Buchanan/Tullock), Barnard's decision-making hierarchy, Simon's logical critique of administrative principles, and Dicey's rule of law; distinguishes between Administrative Law and constitutional law | Basic definitions present but conflates related concepts (e.g., mixes Public Choice with New Public Management) or provides incomplete explanations of Simon's critique | Fundamental misconceptions—treats Public Choice as public interest theory, misunderstands Barnard's executive function, or confuses Administrative Law with ordinary legislation |
| Theoretical anchor | 20% | 10 | Cites Buchanan's 'Calculus of Consent' for (a); Chester Barnard's 'Functions of the Executive' for (b); Herbert Simon's 'Administrative Behavior' (1947) specifically for proverb critique; Dicey and Wade for (e); McQuail or Habermas for media theory in (c) | Mentions theorists without specific works or dates; generic reference to 'Simon said' without connecting to logical-positivist critique of principles | No theoretical attribution; relies on coaching institute generalizations or completely misattributes concepts (e.g., attributing Barnard to Fayol) |
| Indian administrative examples | 20% | 10 | For (a): LIC disinvestment controversies showing political interference in market decisions; for (c): Cobrapost sting on paid news, or media role in 2G/Coal scam exposures; for (e): Supreme Court's Vodafone retrospective taxation ruling, or RTI's impact on transparency | Generic references like 'RTI is good' or 'media sometimes corrupt' without specific cases or institutional mechanisms | No Indian examples; uses Western cases exclusively (e.g., only US Watergate for media) or irrelevant examples from unrelated policy domains |
| Reform / policy angle | 20% | 10 | For (a): regulatory impact assessments to address market imperfections; for (c): News Broadcasters Standards Authority, Press Council reforms; for (e): administrative tribunals modernization, e-courts integration, proposed Administrative Tribunals Act amendments | Mentions reforms superficially without connecting to specific governance gaps identified in the answer | No reform discussion; purely descriptive treatment or utopian suggestions without institutional feasibility (e.g., 'media should be honest') |
| Conclusion & forward look | 20% | 10 | Synthesizes across parts: recognizes that Simon's critique and Public Choice limitations both demand contextual, evidence-based administration; ends with integrated vision of accountable, legally-bound, and professionally-managed public administration for India | Separate conclusions for each part without cross-linking; generic summary statements like 'thus administration is important' | Missing conclusions for some parts; abrupt endings or irrelevant personal opinions; no forward-looking element on administrative reform trajectory |
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