Governing by the Rules

This course is available for in-person and remote (online) learning. This course is only available to students enrolled in the Executive Master of Public Administration. An enhanced knowledge and understanding of the applicable elements of law, convention, practice and ethics is fundamental to any consideration of public policy. It can be the difference between success and failure for the practical bureaucrat, politician, or manager of a contracted provider. Many intrinsically reasonable statutory initiatives fail in operation through lack of 'administerability'. Knowing how the law applies, how to read it, how it works as a system, conditions for reasonable performance in operation, and knowing how to successfully navigate through the complexities of government is vital for public sector managers. The subject will address: · origins of government and the notion of authority and legitimacy - the constitution, 'the platform', 'the mandate' statute, regulation, administration and review; · uses and abuses of authoritative text; principles of administrative law; · power as an operational control system; · powers, instruments, management, and 'administerability'; · the role and force of conventions; · institutional cultures in courts, tribunals and governments; and · ethics, personal responsibility and accountability.