A Comment on "The Science of Public Administration"

Abstract

-E /*R. DAHL, in his incisive analysis of the | problems involved in creating a science of public administration, has raised three very fundamental issues.1 As he clearly demonstrates, No science of public administration is possible unless: (i) the place of normative values is made clear; (2) the nature of man in the area of public administration is better understood and his conduct is more predictable; and (3) there is a body of comparative studies from which it may be possible to discover principles and generalities that transcend national boundaries and peculiar historical experiences.2 While I am in fundamental agreement with all three propositions, it appears to me that there is need for some qualification and elaboration of Mr. Dahl's discussion of the first two.