“The Study of Administration “by
Woodrow Wilson
"The Study of Administration" (1887) is an article by American politician, academic, and university
administrator Woodrow Wilson promoting the study of public administration in American
universities and arguing for the implementation of administrative methods in American government.
Wilson's article examines the history and subject matter of the study of public administration and
argues for a particular understanding of administrative government and particular methods for
implementing it.
Woodrow Wilson's "The Study of Administration" is a seminal piece in the field of public
administration. In this article, Wilson argues for a scientific approach to the study and practice of
administration in government. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between politics and
administration, asserting that while politics deals with policy formulation and decision-making,
administration is concerned with the execution and implementation of those policies.
Again, Wilson in his political experience alerted the fact that the field of administration isa field of
business, thus, administration differs totally from politics. Politics end when state officials take hold
of their positions and their administration starts. Wilson sees administration as a study to rescue
executive methods of confusion and costliness and set them upon foundation laid deep in stable
principles. He states that though politics and administration are questioned in the constitution but
administrative questions are different from political questions in the sense that political factors must
not meddle in administration. Wilson concluded that America must imitate the foreign
administration methods. He urges that, adopting foreign style of administration does not mean the
total administrative style is being exercised, but it would be altered to Americans’ local perspective.
Another important view of Wilson is the use of public opinion to shape governmental actions. In his
work, he stated that the public must be educated politically to influence governmental actions
Wilson advocates for the professionalization of administration, suggesting that it should be treated
as a specialized field with its own principles, methods, and expertise. He emphasizes the need for
trained administrators who possess technical knowledge and skills to effectively manage government
functions. Moreover, Wilson highlights the significance of efficiency and effectiveness in
administration, suggesting that bureaucratic systems should be designed to achieve specific goals
with maximum efficiency. Furthermore, Wilson discusses the role of administration in promoting
democracy and good governance. He argues that a well-functioning administrative system is
essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability in government. Wilson also
emphasizes the importance of adaptability and flexibility in administrative practices, suggesting that
administrators should be able to respond to changing circumstances and evolving societal needs.
Overall, Wilson's article lays the foundation for modern public administration by advocating for a
scientific, professionalized approach to governance that prioritizes efficiency, effectiveness, and
accountability.
