Trends in the Theory of Public Administration

Abstract

O NLY person of weak mind and rash temperament would accept this assignment. The three controlling words in title, trends, theory, and administration, are ambiguous. They are so ill-defined that probably we shall be talking about different things and not uniting in cumulative move toward clear working agreement. Time for preparation is short, materials are extensive and difficult to appraise, and we are all busy people. The quest which is at heart of our topic is most difficult. Any adequate measurement of trends would require us to undertake both extensive and intensive quantitative and subject-matter studies of books and journals published, courses given, and opinions expressed. Among definitions of theory supplied by dictionaries, these occur: a system of laws or principles of an art or science or department of action, and the sphere of speculative thought or doctrine as distinguished from those of certainty or prac-

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