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

Accepted Answer

The tenet emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the public interest over any potential by-products, such as personal or private gain. The creation of shared interests is therefore essential in achieving this goal, as it ensures that the interests of the public as a whole are taken into account and represented in decision-making processes. Shared ideologies or policies may also be necessary to achieve this aim, but the focus is on the creation of shared interests as the primary means of promoting the public interest. Wisdom is not directly relevant to this tenet.

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

Accepted Answer

The sentence states that citizens are willing to assume responsibility for what happens in their neighborhoods and communities, indicating that they are willing to take on personal responsibility beyond their short-term interests. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Personal responsibility.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

In public administration, achieving goals in a just and ethical manner is equally important as achieving the goals themselves. The means of achieving goals should align with the values and principles of democracy, accountability, transparency, and equity.

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

While public servants and organizations have an important role to play in addressing societal problems, it is not possible or desirable for them to act alone without input and feedback from the public. Public engagement and collaboration are critical for understanding the needs and priorities of communities and ensuring that public resources are used effectively and equitably.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The public service should encourage creating processes and arenas in which citizens can engage with one another as it promotes transparency, accountability, and public participation in decision-making.

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

Accepted Answer

Productivity improvement, process reengineering, and performance measurement are all elements of effective management systems. These tools help organizations achieve their goals and optimize their operations. While democracy and constitutions may also play a role in organizational design, they are not directly related to productivity, process improvement, or performance measurement.

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

Accepted Answer

Collective efforts and collaborative processes involve the participation and input of various stakeholders, including the public, in decision-making and program implementation. This approach is more likely to result in policies and programs that address the actual needs and concerns of the public, while also promoting transparency and accountability. Power, jurisdiction, empowerment, and decision-making are important factors but they alone cannot ensure that public needs are effectively met in a responsible manner.

Question 8

The new public service emphasizes the importance of:
A) Managing through people
B) Commanding people
C) Coercing people
D) Convincing citizens

Accepted Answer

Managing through people is the best choice as the new public service emphasizes the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and citizen involvement. This requires effective management of people and resources to achieve desired outcomes. Commanding or coercing people is not a part of the new approach to public service, which is based on participation and persuasion. Convincing citizens is also important, but the emphasis is on managing through people to achieve this goal.

Question 9

Public administrators should see themselves as public ________.
A) Guardians
B) Angels
C) Leaders
D) Entrepreneurs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Public administrators should see themselves as public...

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

Accepted Answer

The main tenet of the new public service is "serve rather than steer," meaning that public servants should prioritize serving the public rather than simply directing and controlling government resources. This philosophy emphasizes collaboration and citizen engagement, and is focused on meeting the needs and expectations of the community.

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Public administrators should create efficiencies by ________...

Question 12

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.

Accepted Answer

While public objectives and community needs are important, individual behavior and influence can also be guided by personal values, ethics, and diverse perspectives, not solely by public objectives.

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

Accepted Answer

Aggregation refers to the combining or grouping together of individual self-interests to form a collective public interest. This statement suggests that the public interest is not simply the sum of individual self-interests, but rather a product of a conversation about shared values.

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

Accepted Answer

The values of democratic governance are the most important in the public sector as it involves giving power to the people to make informed decisions about their government and hold those in power accountable. Consistency with these values ensures public servants are working in the best interest of the public they serve. The consultative approach, leadership, and capitalism are important but not as critical as democratic governance in the public sector.

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

Accepted Answer

All of the above options (citizenship, community, participation in decision making) are important values for a new public service based on democratic principles. Citizenship involves being an active and responsible member of society, while community emphasizes the importance of working together for the common good. Participation in decision making ensures that citizens have a say in how their government operates and that their voices are heard in the political process.  Overall, these values help to promote a system of governance that is accountable, responsive, and inclusive.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The idea of enhancing governmental performance should not be considered within the normative context of non-democratic values. Governments that do not adhere to democratic norms and values may prioritize performance enhancement over the protection of human rights and individual freedoms, resulting in authoritarian rule. Therefore, it is important to promote democratic values while enhancing governmental performance.

Question 17

Efficiencies can be created by privatizing and contracting out functions.

Accepted Answer

Privatization and contracting out functions can bring in competition and improve efficiency by introducing market-driven performance incentives. Private sector firms may bring in new approaches, technologies, and skillsets that can improve the quality and efficiency of public services while reducing costs.

Question 18

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.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that neglecting the values and interests of individual members in an organization can lead to a long-term failure of systems, indicating the importance of paying attention to such aspects.

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

Accepted Answer

"Think local, act global" is not a main tenet of the new public service. The other three options are considered main principles of the new public service.

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

Accepted Answer

The sentence is discussing the idea that our nation is becoming more diverse, which means that people from different cultures and backgrounds are living and interacting with each other more often. To serve the changing needs of these communities and citizens, public administrators need to become culturally competent, which means having an understanding of and sensitivity to different cultures. Therefore, the best choice is A) Diverse.

Quiz 14: Managing Behavior in the Public Interest

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

The new public service emphasizes the importance of:

Public administrators should see themselves as public ________.

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

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

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.

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

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 ________.

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

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

Efficiencies can be created by privatizing and contracting out functions.

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.

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

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.