Concept Of Public Service

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Concept of Public Service

Public service is a service which is provided by government to people living within its jurisdiction, either directly (through the public sector) or by financing provision of Services. The term is associated with a social consensus (usually expressed through democratic Elections) that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income, physical ability or mental acuity. Even where public services are neither publicly provided nor publicly financed, for social and political reasons they are usually subject to regulation going beyond that applying to most economic sectors. Public policy when made in the public’s interest and motivations can provide public services. Public service is also a course that can be studied at a college or university. Examples of public services are the fire brigade, police, air force, and paramedics.

A public service may sometimes have the characteristics of a public good (being non-rivalrous and non-excludable), but most are services which may (according to prevailing social norms) be under-provided by the market. In most cases public services are services, i.e. they do not involve manufacturing of goods. They may be provided by local or national monopolies, especially in sectors which are natural monopolies.  They may involve outputs that are hard to attribute to specific individual effort or hard to measure in terms of key characteristics such as quality. They often require high levels of training and Education. They may attract people with a public service ethos who wish to give something to the wider public or community through their work.

Evolution of public service

Governing bodies have long provided core public services. The tradition of keeping citizens secure through organized military defence dates to at least four thousand years ago. Maintaining order through local delegated authority originated at least as early as the Warring States period (5th to 3rd centuries BCE) in ancient China with the institition of xian (prefectures) under the control of a centrally-appointed prefect. Historical evidence of state provision of dispute resolution through a legal/Justice system goes back at least as far as ancient Egypt.  A primary public service in Ancient History involved ensuring the general favor of the gods through a theologically and ceremonially correct state religion.  The widespread provision of public utilities as public services in developed countries usually began in the late nineteenth century, often with the municipal development of gas and water services. Later, governments began to provide other services such as electricity and healthcare. In most developed countries local or national governments continue to provide such services, the biggest exceptions being the U.S. and the UK, where private provision is arguably proportionally more significant. Nonetheless, such privately provided public services are often strongly regulated, for example (in the US) by Public Utility Commissions.  In developing countries public services tend to be much less well developed. For example, water services might only be available to the wealthy middle class. For political reasons the service is often subsidized, which reduces the finance potentially available for expansion to poorer communities.

In modern democracies, public service is often performed by employees known as civil servants who are hired by elected officials. Government agencies are not profit-oriented and their employees are motivated differently. Studies of their work have found contrasting results including both higher levels of effort and fewer hours of work. A survey in the UK found that private sector hiring managers do not credit government experience as much as private sector experience. Public workers tend to make less in wages when adjusting for education, although that difference is reduced when benefits and hours are included. Public workers have other intangible benefits such as increased job security.

Important values of public service

Values are essential components of organisational culture and instrumental in determining, guiding and informing behaviour. For bureaucracies, adherence to high-level public service values can generate substantial public trust and confidence. Conversely, weak application of values or promotion of inappropriate values can lead to reductions in these essential Elements of democratic governance, as well as to ethical and decision-making dilemmas. While a core set of public service values is necessary, it is also true that different values apply to different parts of the public service. For example, a distinction may be made between technical, regulatory and administrative tasks, or between those parts of a Bureaucracy in direct contact with the public and those which are not.

Given the increasing range of demands on the public service, as well as the frequent ambiguity in terms of goals, relationships and responsibilities, value conflicts are not unusual. As values can differ within different parts of the public service, one of the principal tasks of managers and leaders is to co-ordinate, reconcile or cope with differing values between individuals or even between parts of the organisation. Also, there are a number of dynamics challenging traditional values in the public service. These include new modes of governance and the fragmentation of authority, market-based reforms (such as New Public Management), politicisation and political expectations, the Growth in the use of agencies, decentralisation or relocation, changes in human resource management and recruitment, and the advent of new technologies and methods of information sharing.

Treatment of values

 While the identification and mode of expression of values is the first step for any value-driven organisation, acting on those values is essential to give them meaning. Having a list of values does not mean they exist in an organisation. Advocating value sets but not acting on them is even counter-productive. · This study identifies that senior managers are a key cohort in the realisation of a value-based organisation, as their activities send out fundamental signals concerning the relevance of values within the organisation. Ideally, a new statement (or restatement) of values within an organisation should begin at the most senior level. It should be noted that some organisations have ethics or values sub-committees on their boards and have a senior member of staff report to them on the implementation of a values programme. Line managers must also be cognisant of their influence on the establishment of a workplace culture, and the maxim of ‘do as I do, not as I say’ is of relevance here.

Some of the core public service values are as follows:

Accountability: This is essential in field of Public Administration and particularly important within the context of administrative discretion. Effective administration requires administrators to exercise the discretion with accountability.

 Legitimacy: The public interest might also be considered as significant value. Although, there are numerous types and source of legitimacy, the term can be defined simply as the popular acceptance of a governing regime, in this case public administration. More specially, legitimacy arises when the governed Consent to the governing institution and believes that those institutions will rule in the public interest.

 Public Interest: There is a common good that is different than the aggregate of private benefit and that common good is something that is in the interest of the larger community, even if it is against the interest of some individuals in the community.

Integrity and Honesty: Public servants hold their office in trust, which underlines two principles they shall not use public office for private gain and they shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual. Eg., negotiation of future EMPLOYMENT by a public official with a firm with which he has official dealings, prior to leaving public office is widely regarded as a conflict of interest situation. Only when public servants inculcate the noble values of integrity and honesty, a dent in massive Corruption problem facing the country can be made.

Spirit of Service and Sacrifice: It is an essential ingredient of public services and public officials should feel inspired that they are working for a national cause.

 


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Public service is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of activities that are performed by individuals or organizations to benefit the public good. Public service can take many different forms, including government service, nonprofit work, and volunteerism.

Government service is one of the most common forms of public service. Government employees work in a variety of roles, including law enforcement, education, healthcare, and transportation. They are responsible for providing essential services to the public and ensuring that the government functions effectively.

Nonprofit organizations are another important source of public service. Nonprofit organizations are dedicated to addressing social and economic problems, and they provide a wide range of services, such as food banks, homeless shelters, and after-school programs.

Volunteerism is another important form of public service. Volunteers donate their time and energy to help others, and they play a vital role in many communities. Volunteers work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and libraries.

Public service is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps to ensure that the government functions effectively. Government employees are responsible for providing essential services to the public, and they play a vital role in ensuring that the country runs smoothly.

Second, public service helps to address social and economic problems. Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in addressing issues such as POVERTY, hunger, and homelessness. Volunteers also play an important role in addressing these problems, and they help to make communities more vibrant and supportive.

Third, public service can be a rewarding experience. Public service can provide individuals with a sense of purpose and satisfaction. It can also help individuals to develop new skills and knowledge.

There are a number of challenges associated with public service. One challenge is that public service can be demanding and stressful. Government employees and nonprofit workers often work long hours, and they may be required to deal with difficult situations. Volunteers may also face challenges, such as finding the time to volunteer and dealing with difficult clients.

Another challenge is that public service can be underfunded. Government agencies and nonprofit organizations often struggle to find the Resources they need to provide essential services. This can lead to cuts in services and programs, which can have a negative impact on the public.

Despite the challenges, public service is a vital part of any Society. Public service helps to ensure that the government functions effectively, it addresses social and economic problems, and it can be a rewarding experience for individuals.

The future of public service is uncertain. The rise of technology is changing the way that public services are delivered, and it is unclear how this will impact the future of public service. However, it is clear that public service will continue to be an important part of any society, and it is important to develop strategies to ensure that public service can continue to meet the needs of the public in the future.

What is public service?

Public service is the provision of services to the public by the government or other organizations. It can include a wide range of activities, such as education, healthcare, transportation, and law enforcement.

What are the benefits of public service?

Public service provides a number of benefits to society. It can help to improve the Quality Of Life for citizens, promote Economic Development, and protect the Environment.

What are the challenges of public service?

Public service can be challenging due to the need to balance the needs of different groups of people, the limited resources available, and the ever-changing demands of society.

What are some examples of public service?

Some examples of public service include:

What are some ways to get involved in public service?

There are many ways to get involved in public service. Some common ways include:

What are some of the most important public service jobs?

Some of the most important public service jobs include:

What are some of the challenges facing public service?

Some of the challenges facing public service include:

What is the future of public service?

The future of public service is uncertain. However, it is likely that public service will continue to play an important role in society. Public service agencies will need to adapt to the changing needs of citizens and the changing environment in order to remain effective.

  1. Public service is:
    (a) A service that is provided by the government to its citizens.
    (b) A service that is provided by a private company to its customers.
    (c) A service that is provided by a non-profit organization to its members.
    (d) All of the above.

  2. The purpose of public service is to:
    (a) Provide essential services to the public.
    (b) Promote the public good.
    (c) Protect the public from harm.
    (d) All of the above.

  3. Public service is important because it:
    (a) Helps to ensure that everyone has access to essential services.
    (b) Promotes a sense of community and belonging.
    (c) Helps to build a strong and vibrant Democracy.
    (d) All of the above.

  4. Public service is provided by:
    (a) The government.
    (b) Private companies.
    (c) Non-profit organizations.
    (d) All of the above.

  5. Public service jobs are:
    (a) Usually well-paid.
    (b) Usually secure.
    (c) Usually have a lot of opportunities for advancement.
    (d) All of the above.

  6. To be successful in public service, you need to be:
    (a) Dedicated to public service.
    (b) Competent in your field.
    (c) Able to work well with others.
    (d) All of the above.

  7. Some examples of public service jobs include:
    (a) Teacher.
    (b) Police officer.
    (c) Firefighter.
    (d) All of the above.

  8. Public service is a rewarding career because it:
    (a) Allows you to make a difference in the lives of others.
    (b) Gives you a sense of purpose.
    (c) Provides you with opportunities for personal growth.
    (d) All of the above.

  9. If you are interested in a career in public service, you can:
    (a) Get a degree in public administration.
    (b) Volunteer for a non-profit organization.
    (c) Apply for a job with the government.
    (d) All of the above.

  10. Public service is a vital part of our society. It is important to remember that public servants are people who are dedicated to serving others. They work hard to make our communities a better place. We should be grateful for their service.

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