Deck 14: Managing Behavior in the Public Interest

Question 1

According to the tenet "the public interest is the aim, not the by-product", the goal is the creation of shared ________ and shared responsibilities.

A) Ideologies
B) Wisdom
C) Policies
D) Interests

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Citizens, unlike business customers, are committed to matters that go beyond their short-term interests and are willing to assume ________ for what happens in their neighborhoods and communities.

A) Drawbacks
B) Costs
C) Personal responsibility
D) Jurisdictional challenges

Answer 2

C

Question 3

True or False. In the field of public administration, both the goals and the manner in which they are pursued are of critical importance.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or False. The problems facing society and our communities today can be solved by public servants and public organizations if they are allowed to act alone without public interference.

Question 5

True or False. The public service should discourage creating processes and arenas in which citizens can engage with one another.

Question 6

Productivity improvement, process reengineering, and performance measurement are seen as important tools in designing ________.

A) Democracy
B) Management systems
C) Constitution
D) Goals

Question 7

Policies and programs meeting public needs can be achieved most effectively and responsibly through ________ and ________.

A) Power; jurisdiction
B) Collective efforts; collaborative processes.
C) Empowerment; collective input
D) Decision-making; authority

Question 8

The new public service emphasizes the importance of:

A) Managing through people
B) Commanding people
C) Coercing people
D) Convincing citizens

Question 9

Public administrators should see themselves as public ________.

A) Guardians
B) Angels
C) Leaders
D) Entrepreneurs

Question 10

One of the main tenets of the new public service is:

A) Serve rather than steer
B) Steer rather than drive
C) Lead rather than follow
D) Public interest is the by-product of the ultimate aim

Question 11

Public administrators should create efficiencies by ________ and ________ out functions, and concentrating on accountability and high performance

A) Enabling; counting
B) Enabling; contracting
C) Privatizing; contracting
D) Privatizing; counting

Question 12

True or False. In a public setting, our own behavior, and our attempts to influence the behavior of others, must always be reduced to focus on meeting public objectives and community needs.

Question 13

The public interest is the result of a dialogue about shared values rather than the ________ of individual self-interests

A) Assertion
B) Expansion
C) Reduction
D) Aggregation

Question 14

In the public sector we should manage our own behavior and influence the behavior of others in a manner that is consistent with the public interest and the values of ________.

A) Consultative approach
B) Democratic governance
C) Leadership
D) Capitalism

Question 15

The new public service begins with the idea that democratic principles and the following values are paramount.

A) Citizenship
B) Community
C) Participation in decision making
D) All of the above

Question 16

True or False. Enhancing governmental performance should be considered within the normative context of non-democratic values.

Question 17

True or False. Efficiencies can be created by privatizing and contracting out functions.

Question 18

True or False. The new public service suggests that systems are likely to fail in the long term if insufficient attention is paid to the values and interests of individual members of an organization.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a main tenet of the new public service?

A) Serve rather than steer
B) Think local, act global
C) Think strategically, act democratically
D) Serve citizens, not customers

Question 20

As our nation becomes more ________ and we increasingly interact with other nations around the globe, it is imperative that public administrators become culturally competent so as to better understand and serve the changing needs of communities and citizens.

A) Diverse
B) Undemocratic
C) Democratic
D) Authoritative

Question 21

True or False. Public administration need not develop opportunities for employees and citizens to affirm and act on public service motives and values.

Question 22

How can one manage organizational behavior in a manner that respects the rights of the individual, adheres to democratic principles, and engenders trust, commitment, and involvement?

Question 23

Describe the "new public service: and how it has evolved.

Question 24

How can one manage their own behavior and influence the behavior of others in a manner that is consistent with the public interest and the values of democratic governance? Be sure to include motivation, communication and leadership strategies, among other things, in your discussion.

Question 25

What are some challenges that are faced by public servants in being accountable to the general public?

Question 26

If productivity is the key that propels an organization into profitability, why is it that in the new public service, we should value people and not just productivity?

Question 27

What is the importance of valuing citizenship and public service above entrepreneurship?

Question 28

True or False. Public servants are more likely to treat citizens with respect if they also are treated with respect by those who manage public agencies.

Question 29

Discuss the main tenets of the "new public service". How do they differ from traditional models?

Question 30

In the context of the "new public service" what is the significance of serving citizens and not treating them as customers?