Answer:

Introduction:

Public servants play a pivotal role in shaping the functioning and outcomes of public administration. 

The attitudes they exhibit towards their work can have a profound impact on the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accountability of the administrative machinery. 

Two contrasting attitudes commonly observed among public servants are the bureaucratic attitude and the democratic attitude

Body:

Difference between two terms:- 

• (a) The bureaucratic attitude is characterized by strict adherence to rules and regulations, and a focus on hierarchy and formal procedures. This attitude can lead to consistency and predictability in decision-making, but can also lead to rigidity and a lack of flexibility in responding to changing circumstances.
• On the other hand, the democratic attitude is characterized by a focus on public service and responsiveness to citizens’ needs and aspirations. This attitude can lead to innovation and creativity in problem-solving, but can also lead to a lack of accountability and a tendency towards populism.
• The merits of the bureaucratic attitude include consistency, predictability, and impartiality in decision-making. This can help to ensure that decisions are based on objective criteria rather than personal biases or preferences. However, the demerits of this attitude include inflexibility and a lack of responsiveness to changing circumstances and emerging needs.
• The merits of the democratic attitude include innovation, responsiveness, and a focus on public service. This can help to ensure that policies and programs are responsive to citizens’ needs and aspirations. However, the demerits of this attitude include a lack of accountability and a tendency towards populism.

Balance for better administration:- 

• (b) Yes, it is possible to balance the two attitudes to create a better administration for the faster development of our country. A balanced approach that combines the merits of both attitudes can help to ensure that public servants are responsive to citizens’ needs and aspirations, while also ensuring consistency, predictability, and impartiality in decision-making.
• To achieve this balance, public servants need to be trained in both bureaucratic and democratic approaches to decision-making. They need to be able to recognize when to follow rules and procedures, and when to be innovative and responsive to citizens’ needs. They also need to be held accountable for their decisions and actions, and be open to feedback from citizens and other stakeholders.
• In addition, the government needs to create an enabling environment that encourages a balanced approach to decision-making. This can include creating incentives for public servants to be innovative and responsive, while also ensuring that they follow rules and procedures. It can also include creating channels for citizen participation and feedback, to ensure that policies and programs are responsive to citizens’ needs and aspirations.

Conclusion:

A balanced approach that combines the merits of both bureaucratic and democratic attitudes can help to create a better administration for the faster development of our country. This requires training, accountability, and an enabling environment that encourages public servants to be responsive to citizens’ needs and aspirations, while also ensuring consistency, predictability, and impartiality in decision-making.

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