Administration refers to the act of effectively administering the affairs of an organization or state. The administration can be done either by public officials or private individuals. Public administration is a branch of economics that works with service motive. On the other end private administration work with business intuition. The former differs from the latter in three ways, i.e. the political character, accountability, scope of their activities. Here an article is presented to help you understand the meaning and differences between public and private administration.
Content: Public Administration Vs Private Administration
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Public Administration | Private Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Public administration refers to orderly managing the resources, to achieve the purposes established by the government. | Private administration is the operation, management and organization of the affairs of the business enterprise. |
| What is it? | It is a political process. | It is a business activity. |
| Operation | In governmental set up | In non-governmental set up |
| Approach | Bureaucratic | Egalitarian |
| Decision making | Pluralistic | Monopolistic |
| Revenue | Taxes, fees, duties, etc. | Profits |
| Accountability | Accountable to general public | Accountable to the owners |
| Orientation | Welfare oriented | Profit oriented |
Definition of Public Administration
Public Administration is a field of study that is concerned with the systematic application of public policies and programes formulated by the state. It relates to the administrative functions carried out by the government. It focuses on providing services to the general public, to ensure a good and safe life to people.
It is both a discipline as well as an activity. While as a discipline, it covers all the subjects, i.e. budgeting, planning, organizing, controlling, reporting, directing, staffing etc. As an activity it performs services like welfare services, social security services, management of government undertaking, regulation of private enterprises, and so on.
In short, public administration is a non-political public bureaucracy that operates within a legal framework. It deals with the objectives of the government, the public interest and laws. All the branches of the government, i.e. executive, legislative and judicial, as well as their relationship with each other are covered in the public administration. It works on the principles of uniformity, external financial control and service motive.
Definition of Private Administration
Private Administration is defined as management and organization of private business enterprises. It is an administrative function carried out by the private individuals or a group, in order to earn profit. It is a business activity which is non-political in nature. It involves an array of activities like planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating and implementation of policies and programs, performed by the management of the organization.
It works for the economic benefit of the organization, taking into account the interest of employees and clients or partners as well of the concerned organization.
Key Differences Between Public and Private Administration
The important points of difference between public and private administration are given below:
- The systematic and well-planned management of the affairs of the state to achieve the purposes established by the government is known as Public Administration. The term private administration refers to the operation, management, and organization of the affairs of the business enterprise.
- Public Administration is a political process. On the other hand, private administration is a business activity.
- Public administration takes place in governmental setup, whereas private administration operates in the structure other than the governmental setup.
- Public administration follows a bureaucratic approach, while private administration has an egalitarian approach.
- Decision making in public administration is pluralistic, but in private administration, there is monopolistic decisions are taken.
- In public administration, the revenue is generated from taxes, fees, duties, penalties and other dues paid by the general public. As opposed to private administration, where profits from operating activities is the major source of revenue.
- When it comes to accountability, public officials are accountable to the general public. Unlike, private administration where the employees are accountable to the owners.
- Public administration is welfare oriented, it works with service motive. Conversely, private administration is profit oriented.
Conclusion
Public administration runs in a governmental setting and that is why it is also known as government administration. On the contrary, private administration is a business process, hence considered as business administration. Both of them play a crucial role in contributing towards the development of the society in different ways. Moreover, the measurement of performance, progress and results thereof, can be done using different methods.
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