An Approach to Privatization in the 21st Century
by
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INTRODUCTION
The intent of this dissertation is to present a
fresh look at the issue of privatizing government organizations, irrespective
if they are local, state or federal organizations. This study is intended to be
an easy read for students of both Public Administration and Management and has
been developed without the extensive use of models, flow charts and theories.
This study intends to encourage the reader to use a commonsense approach along
with some sound organizational development and management practices to give
privatization a fresh look. It is my belief that privatizing government
organizations is an overlooked and under-utilized tool with which we can
improve organizational management, improve organizational efficiency, and
remove those organizational and political barriers that prevent development
which are present in today’s governmental organizations, while at the same time
keeping government services at an acceptable level.
The issue of privatization is certainly not new;
rather it is a continuation of two central questions: Why do we have
government? What is the proper role of
government organizations? The question regarding the appropriate role of
government has been discussed since the earliest days when people began to band
together for protection and started a civilized society. This debate has
continued on through the centuries. The question at times will reflect one’s
political philosophy, whether it is conservative, liberal, libertarian, etc.
In American politics the role of government has been
a central issue in the early writings of privatizing government agencies. The
issue of privatization began to arise during the Reagan administration. In the
past the role of government has been one of those motivating elements to call
for privatizing government organizations. These proponents of privatization
have focused on organizations that fulfill roles or responsibilities in those
sections of government that they feel that government has no business being in.
They attack the government organization from one of several directions, that
is, reducing the government to balance the budget, reduce the size of
government because it is just too big, or possibly because the private sector
can just do the job better. However, the essence of their argument still lies
in what they consider to be the proper role of government. The result of this
argument has been mixed -- mainly due to the unacceptable loss of government
programs or services.
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Book Details
About the Book
A fresh look at the issue of “Privatizing” the
government. This book looks at the
history of government and government organizations from the beginning through
the period of “Re-invention.” The issue
of privatization is not seen as the end all to solve government’s problems –
rather it is seen as just one tool available to the politicians and government
managers. Privatization is viewed as
one method of improving management in government by removing many political
constraints and barriers from the government manager.
This book looks at the specific example of
privatizing the nation’s Air Traffic Control System. A system that has a history of inefficiency, cost overruns, and
resistance to change – yet it enjoys a solid political backing – which
continues to offer it protection from privatization. The last part of the book offers some recommendations for long
term change by establishing a commission on privatization.
About the Author
Jeffrey Roy Ph.D., has close to 40 years experience
as a government manager/executive. His
experience within the Dept. of the Army and The Federal Aviation Administration
provides him with an in depth knowledge of the workings of government
organizations. Throughout his career in
the government he gained experience in various management techniques from MBO
to TQM. He applies these management
philosophies in an easy to read manner to show the reader how government
organizations can be managed more efficiently and effectively. Dr. Roy shows how various changes in public
policy and organizational management can benefit government organizations. He recognizes various tools that are available to the government manager to
help improve government organizations.
However, he points out that ultimately privatization may be the best
solution to improving government organizations. His idea of privatization calls for the establishment of a
“Commission” to review and recommend organizations for privatization.