Programme

Public administrations are a central aspect of the modern state. During the liberal-democratic development phase of the state structure, bureaucracies undergo a rationalization process through public law and administrative law. In the 20th century, public administration expands: it operates on multiple levels, assumes various forms, initiates decentralization processes, and is tasked with performing welfare state functions. Starting from the 1980s, administrative systems undergo transformations and reforms that affect both the size and nature of administrations.
On one hand, the course focuses on illustrating perspectives and key concepts (institution, organization, function, structure, process, decision, authority and power, culture, environment) for understanding administrations. Classifications and typologies will be introduced, along with case studies from research on administrations. From a political science perspective, reflection on public apparatuses is a reflection on the relationship between political power and institutions engaged in assistance and governance functions. In this context, some crucial topics will be addressed: the relationship between political roles and administrative roles, bureaucratic management and strategic management, control and evaluation, and the role administrative institutions play in policy-making and government and governance processes.
On the other hand, the course describes the Italian administrative system and its most recent transformations. Specifically, administrations will be examined to evaluate two aspects: 1. the impact of New Public Management (NPM) and post-NPM reforms; 2. the evolution of the relationship between political and administrative leadership.

Core Documentation

For the first part:
- Lippi A., Modelli di amministrazioni pubbliche, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2022.

For the second part - the study of the Italian case:
- Baldi B. e Chiarini R., Teoria dell’organizzazione e pubbliche amministrazioni. Le riforme del rapporto fra politica e amministrazione, “Quaderni di Scienza Politica”, XXIX, 3, 2022, pp. 331-360.
- Di Mascio F. e Natalini A., Pubbliche amministrazioni. Tradizioni, paradigmi e percorsi di ricerca, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2022: chapter 5 (La trasformazione digitale delle pubbliche amministrazioni), pp. 169-214.
- Grilli di Cortona P., Lanza O., Pisciotta B. e Germano L., Capire la politica, Utet, 2020: chapter 11 (Politiche pubbliche e processo decisionale), pp. 331-357.
- Vecchi G., Le politiche amministrative: continuità e discontinuità nei processi di riforma, in G. Capano e A. Natalini (ed), Le politiche pubbliche in Italia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2020, pp. 27-41.

Reference Bibliography

M. Crozier, The Bureaucratic Phenomenon, Chicago University Press, Chicago (1964), trad.it.: Il fenomeno burocratico, Etas Kompass, Milano, 1969. A. Gouldner, Patterns of Industrial Bureaucracy, N.Y. Free Press (1954), trad.it.: Modelli di burocrazia aziendale, Milano, Etas Kompass, 1970. T.J. Lowi, Four Systems of Policy, Politics and Choice. In “Public Administration Review”, 33, 1972; trad.it. Politiche pubbliche, case studies e teoria politica, in T.J. Lowi, La scienza delle politiche, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1999. Ph. Selznick, TVA and the Grass Roots, University of California Press, Berkeley, trad.it.: Pianificazione regionale e partecipazione democratica. Il caso Tennessee Valley Authority, Angeli, Milano, 1974. H. Simon, Administrative Behaviour, Macmillan, London, 1957, trad.it.: Il comportamento amministrativo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1958.

Attendance

The course does not have compulsory attendance. However, attendance is strongly recommended, as the lesson is often based on interaction. The interactive method facilitates understanding and analysis of the topic.

Type of evaluation

The oral exam aims to verify the following competencies: a) knowledge of the different analytical perspectives of public administrations; b) the ability to analyse the relationships between administration and political power; c) the ability to analyse the relationships between administration and the external environment and the role of administration in policy-making; d) basic knowledge of the Italian administrative system and its most recent reforms. For the exam, the materials are indicated in the section "Adopted Texts". To be admitted to the exam, students must register on the appropriate exam list within the exam sessions.