Administrative Discretion (Essay Sample)

Administrative Discretion
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Administrative Discretion
Max Weber is accredited for his bureaucratic theory of public administration. Weber brought forth certain criteria that could be used for guidance in public administration. According to Weber, the offices for administration were to be organized in some of hierarchy (Weber, 2009). The offices were to follow some form of an order from the junior officers to the senior most officers. In addition, each office was to be dedicated a duty that was in line with its area of competency. Other criteria brought forth by Weber was that the appointment of the officials was to be based on their educational and technical qualifications. Max Weber also stated that the job conducted by the officer appointed for public administration was to serve as their primary employment and the line of their career. Other sets of criteria that guided the administration of public officers was that the officials never owned their offices, they were subject to disciplinary action in case of gross misconduct and the promotion of the officers to higher hierarchy was to be at the discretion of their superiors. The criteria set by Weber could be criticized depending on its rigidity and flexibility.
The decision to live the promotion of officers to higher levels of their job groups upon their superiors can be abused. It can result in corruption in the form of nepotism where the senior officers chose to promote only the officers they are related to or those who are their close friends. Such power should not be left to the public administrators as it is subject to abuse. It possesses are a risk of promotion of officers who are not competent enough to conduct their work. The promotion of the officers should, therefore, be left to the discretion of an individual body created to assess precisely the performance of the public officers. The body must be independent of the senior officers of the public administration.
Appointment of officers into public administration offices based on their qualifications is, however, a noble idea. The advantage of it is that it would guarantee the employment of qualified staff into the officers. Further, it will ensure that the officers appointed would provide their services in the most professional way since they have the technical knowledge pertaining the job. Recruitment based on merit ensures fairness in the whole process so that those who are qualified are the only ones hired. Appointment based on academic qualification enhances professionalism while discharging the duties bestowed upon them. Public offices have been prone to misuse by unqualified personnel who barely have an idea of handling public affairs.
Organization of administrative roles on a hierarchical order could bring challenges with regard to decision-making. Different issues do arise at the workplace and the decision to follow protocol in order to come up with a conclusive decision can hinder the efficient provision of services (Hall, 1963). The public administration officer should be left to act on the matter if it is urgent at their own discretion. It becomes absolutely necessary when emergency issues arise in the course of duty. Waiting for the immediate supervisor t...