At the Door: Deontology and Duty

When asked “what would you do?” when the Gestapo is at the door asking if you are harboring any Jews, the answer is actually a simple ethical answer to a simple ethical question (Paul and Elder, 25). Lie! Lie to the officer, slam the door and go enjoy some lekach with your new Jewish friends....

The Social Contract – a Solution for Inequality

“Man is born free, and he is everywhere in chains” Jean-Jacques Rousseau There are many issues plaguing modern society and, as throughout history, thinkers often ponder and debate solutions. They may treat each issue in isolation, but problems often have common roots in inequality which can be treated collectively with what Enlightenment philosophers call a...

The Human Need for Equality is Accomplished in the Workplace

This piece was published in PA Times Online February 12, 2020 and can be seen here. Motivation, for most, lies in monetary gain - but it is not just pay raises that keep employees motivated.[1] People naturally have a need for equality in their work and social circles because while “no two humans are biologically...

Comparative Public Administration

As with any field of study, there needs to be defined and uniform standards with which to research and expand the realm of knowledge of the field. The same is true for the field of public administration. But, it is often argued, that because public administration is arguably in its infancy, it lacks a uniform...

The Enlightenment and Public Administration

"One should never miss an opportunity to celebrate the enlightenment or to mock priestcraft and the worship of mediocre princes and tycoons" - Christopher Hitchens

Federalism – An American Tradition

“It is getting to be harder to run a constitution than to frame one” - Woodrow Wilson, 28th President When one hears about the bureaucracy conglomerate in the federal government, chances are they are referring to federalism. Federalism is the division of power among state governments and the national government. As the size of the...

The Evolution of Scientific Thought in Public Administration

Public Administration as a Science The study of Public Administration begs the question as to whether the field is a science, craft, or an art. It is a hotly debated topic through the study’s short history, but given the use of facts, sociology, and scientific endeavors, the study of Public Administration is a science -...

Texas and the Problem of ‘Muddling Through’

It is not on a whim that Charles Lindblom's famous essay The Science of Muddling Through is often mentioned in conversations involved with public administration decision making. Lindblom is a part of a beloved group of public administration writer, including Herbert Simon, and Chester Bernard, who advocate for more scientific decision-making. In Lindblom’s essay, he...

Getting Down to Gas Tax

What congruent, regressive tax brings in billions of dollars every year dedicated to repairs and build new roads and infrastructure? That’s right, it’s time to get down to gas tax. The motor vehicle tax, or the gas tax, is an excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuels that charges motorists a tax, per gallon, to...

Balance Budget Amendment

The 1990’s was a great decade that we remember nostalgically is also remembered for its booming economy, job availability, and comparative peace in the world - so opposite of now. In fact, the United States government was thriving so much that it finally ran a budget surplus in 1998 through 2000 - this was the...