Frank Johnson Goodnow's ideas on administrative reform and public administration reform in China—Reconsidering the book of politics and administration: A study in government

Abstract

Politics and Administration: a Study in Government is not only the best work on the administrative study by Frank Johnson Goodnow, but one of the classics of the Science of Public Administration. More than one hundred years have passed, since this master's book was first read, we could not refrain from thinking that, it suddenly opens a door for us and enlightens us. What Frank Johnson Goodnow wrote during the so-called American Progress Time of industrialization, urbanization and modernization in this book, will quite inspire China, who's undertaking reforms concerning industrialization, urbanization and modernization. This essay is aimed at combing some of Goodnow's critical views and thoughts and interpreting them under the circumstances in China, so as to find the value of reference to Chinese reforms. Particularly his opinions on the conditions of state, functions of state, roles of political parties, relations between central and local governments and dichotomy on politics and administration, are still shining with the light of wisdom, which indicate our exploration to reform and advance.