Administrative Power Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Administrative Power - Essay Example Public administration is wholly intertwined in the problems and all the activities of the society, and hence, it does not operate alone (Stillman, 2010). Norton Long argues that, power is the lifeblood and backbone of administration (Stillman, 2010). Power attainment, increase, maintenance, dissipation and loss, are factors that cannot be ignored by administrators. Long argues that, ignoring these aspects can lead to failure and loss of realm. In the case of the Columbia accident, which happened in February 2003, killing seven crew members, the administration was to blame for the loss of lives. The damage suspected by the engineers before the shuttle left orbit was downplayed by the NASA managers, who limited the investigations. External pressure from the white house and the congress to meet the date set for launching, made NASA managers to authorize the launching, even when it was clear that foaming was occurring on the left wing of Columbia. Failure to address issues or risks fully or postponing them, can lead to loss of life, a situation which detracts an organization’s power. Bureaucracy and internal pressure are key aspects of administrative power, and that partake a significant task in enhancing or detracting the administrative power. Bureaucracy, when properly applied without too much pressure, can enhance an organization’s administrative power. NASA employees were under internal pressure, to meet a deadline; hence, the seven crew members went ahead with their project to launch, even with the awareness of risks. This caused the American people, who were patriotic to the country’s endeavors in aerospace, to diminish the value and effectiveness of NASA. Power is a coveted aspect in life, and the blood life of administration, as Long said (Stillman, 2010). Administrators strive to gain and retain power, and in the process, they employ various means to ensure that they remain in power. Long