International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
30
Available online at http://www.ijims.com
ISSN: 2348 – 0343
Theories and Tenets: An Impalpable Troll for the Policy Makers,
Research Officers and Administrators?
Kiyoung Kim
Chosun University, College of Law, Kwang-ju South Korea
Abstract
Now we live in the age of professionalism, and the public office in any nation is some
reservoir of intelligent competition in their specific field. They are the leaders and paragon of
community as a loyal and professional fiduciary. A hybrid nature of officers creates the rules
and exercises their professional knowledge to serve a public good. The not unusual word,
“scholar practitioner” may reflect the tendency of learning community within the business
and government officers. They wish to overcome a bum rap, say, most unproductive group or
bureaucrats in maze, attributed to the bureaucrats generally. They now are required to be not
only a manager but also professional researcher for his or her specific field of expertise.
Beyond this duality, they may face with the challenge from a serious question about the tenet
or theory within either a managerial responsibility or any research responsibility in the
discipline of public policy. This paper begins with the classic loci for the theories and tenets,
which have interacted with the research and professional circle. Then the author illustrates
one hypothetical ego, who now works for the Korean government. In pursuit of his work role,
he is situated to ramble encompassing the tenet, theories, and assumption of public policy
discipline. The paper suggests three theories considered most foundational in the context of
Korean politics and history at modern times, which would possibly be applicable to many
other similar nations in the post colonial period. The author argues that it could be exemplary
for the policy makers or administrators, who have to learn and research.
Keywords: Theory and tenet, public policy and administration, social science research,
structuralism, structuration, institutionalism, South Korea
TERMS, THEORETICAL CONCEPT, AND THEORY
As we agree, the goal of scientific knowledge is to provide a system of classification, so-
Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2573526
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
31
called a typology as well as explanations, predictions, and a sense of understanding
(Reynolds, P. D., 2007). The statement that the scientists argue has to have an empirical
relevance, and defined as the description of a relationship between two or more concepts and
statements. It needs to avoid an abstract expression, and can covey a clear message for the
audience. The scientists employ the medium of expression in the form of language, math, and
symbols, which generally are the ways to communicate his ideas. As the language is a most
dominant medium, the terms are important which are classed as primitive and derivative
terms (2007; Hempel, 1952). The term needs to be defined clearly to serve his frame of
studies and coherently upheld through a research
piece. A piece of researches to be grouped into a
common theme also require a consistence and
coherence in use of terms which also increase its
persuasive power in the logic and aesthetics. It could
be coherently related on the basis of “schedule of
reinforcement” to be used and discussed onward and
backward to expose the archaeology of scientific
The term needs to be
defined clearly to serve
his frame of studies and
coherently upheld
knowledge in any convincing manner. The terms or its
through …. The theory
definition would arise between the dictionary and real
is generally a coherent
ones (2007). The dictionary definition of terms would
incur a benefit that it is universal and common most
set of scientific
in comport with the community. In a purpose or
knowledge to be
special needs, the researcher could be tempted to use
a real definition of term which would bear the realistic
used….
aspect of terms in operation, interaction, and
phenomenology. For the researchers, the real aspect or definition of terms would be more
challenging and actually frequent which often requires a devotion of time for the shared
agreement in understanding his theory or proposition. The derivative terms perhaps would be
amenable to a different cognitive receipt as we are illustrated the expression, “the butterflies
in my stomach.” Unlike the butterfly (primitive term) designated in a concrete epistemology,
it could be used to describe the situation or human feelings in variance. For example, it may
describe the first big hump of a roller coaster or going down in a fast elevator (2007).
The theory is generally a coherent set of scientific knowledge to be applied and used by the
Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2573526
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
32
lay people as well as the scientists in pursuit of their professional or occupational goals. The
theory often involves a theme, event and occurrences which influence our way of livings,
including the social interaction and subsistence as a subject. The theory is based on the
science, and possesses a quality to be distinct on evidence, empirical data, logic, metaphor,
ascetics, and applicability (SAGE, 2013). It is preferably to be abstract, but could come to
explain or propose addressing the concrete setting, and eventually to be stretched to a specific
or terminal object in coverage as “concrete-difference.” The theoretical concept would center
to bring the plane where the operational definition could be extended in the procedure of
measurements and the interobservers properly trained would generally arrive at the same
result. If the theoretical concept or operational definition is too concrete, its scientific role or
quality could be diminished (2007). The science would be pseudo-perfection of actual
phenomenon and the frame of approach or receipt into a human creature, so that the levels of
abstraction is inevitable or indispensable which often is in rank order from theoretical,
operational and concrete. In order to forge a sense and knowledge into a human agent, the
theory could take the form of hypothetical constructs (2007; MacCorquodale & Meehl, 1948)
and operational definition could lay the status of hierarchy in accord with (1) its relation to a
theoretical concept, and (2) its suitability as a measurement procedure (2007).
SOME THOUGHTS ON THE FORM AND ROLE OF THEORY
The theory has three different forms in presenting a scientific knowledge or new research
findings, which are “set of laws, axiomatic, and causal process” (2007). As said, it provides a
typology about the humanity, nature and society to create a knowledgeable person in levels
and paradigm. Hence, it is a bridge or liaison between the agent and exterior circumstances or
conditions. It, therefore, is keenly related with breeding or educating a person. The theory
would be both horizontal and vertical which corresponds with its coverage and degree of
understanding. The high school curriculum could be more comprehensive, hence horizontally
universal, and the college level, through the graduate or research education. The vertical
extent would be deepened accordingly, but the theory or topic could be specific or address a
professionally shaped and narrow fashion. The theory in a specific topic may, however, be
studied in a consistence and decades of pursuit with many articles, proceedings or books and
scientific comments, to accomplish a greater contribution about the horizontally universal
question which could lead to the winning of Nobel Prize and so. Their contribution is to be
used to inculcate a better world view for the high school or college students where we often
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
33
find a set of laws form of theory and axioms. An axiomatic theory would be in the
hierarchical influence for the theme or topic, which, in turn, allows a scope of propositions
based on the axiom (2007). There are pros and cons about the three forms, but the causal
process would be preferred since it is interrelational, less susceptible to the intersubjectivity
strand of truth, practical and dynamic, and most readily convincing or often actual from the
support of a process and phenomenon. While the axiomatic form includes an interrelated set
of definitions and statements, as seen advantages, it could be less strong to arouse a sense of
understanding for the conceivers. The causal process often involves no distinction between
the axiom and proposition, and the factors to compose a truth would be of equal importance
to provide a set of dynamism on process (2007). Although not in a complete fit, we may
suppose a comparative sense between the prescription of laws in the civil law country and
sociological trait of law from the common law system. The former often evokes the manner
or structure of legal findings or virtue as a hierarchical form of statutory provision. It could
be seen a kind of axiom or set of laws form in theory, which is maturated into any scientific
knowledge as best suited to their society. Hence the role of legislature could be placed central
to create a scientific knowledge and theory. The judiciary is expected, in this theory
generating structure of law, to plainly implement the findings of legislature by supplementing
with the interpretive works for a vacuum or insufficiency of statutory language. The latter, in
contrast, cherishes a case law contemplated, as typically illustrated in the words of Holmes,
concerning how the judgment or court opinion could effect to process or in higher
expectations, improve the society. Therefore, the court opinion often includes a lengthy story
of facts, and presents in pages the legal theory and social implications. Three form of theory
also can be constructed which would fall to the same trait in response with the three forms of
statement, i.e., existence statement, relational statement, and causal statements (2007). Other
dimension to be aware of would lie between the deterministic or probabilistic statements, in
which the advent of latter approach could serve expanding the applicability of science and
ways of understanding. If the science requires a self perfection, the space that a deterministic
statement could play would not be extensive. The findings of probability could be seen
significant for the outreach of scientific minds.
The role of theory is extensive across the biological aspect and on the human, social,
economic, political or legal plane (Freund, J., 1973). The theory is an actual generator of
scientific knowledge while its level or quality could vary across the time and space, which
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International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
made an agent distinctive from the animals or other species (Creswell, J., 2009). It provides a
human to think and meditate, and reduce a hunch or intuition, which enables to consume a
much more time for the long life span generally. It enables making a reasonable retreat to
appreciate and handle so that many educators encourage to read and meditate. It provides a
source of software to intellectually govern the exterior conditions and circumstances serving
a human dignity from the barbarians. They could select a better option about the alternatives
they face with.
The role of theory also is critical to raise a commonality of society and its congruence. For
example, the medieval advancement of science from the Middle East countries or annotators
work on the Roman law, contributed to increase the present vocabulary of English or science.
The theory, by ways of the
diverse context of exposure
and opportunity to learn,
shape
a
whole
of
world
views.
could
eventually
In
or sharing on the
instance,
the
beneficence from
may
impress
a
on the humans as we
argument. They perceive
generally influences to
The theory has three
person
some
different forms in
theory
research findings, which
it
of
the imperial rule
are set of laws,
different
axiomatic, causal…
concept
see in the Japanese
a Japanese rule for 36
theorycausalcuaslocess
the
positive
cases,
same footing. For
knowledge or new
Korea which might, in some aspect, be
their
lead to a passion
presenting a scientific
years (1910-1945) increased
and
or
industrialization
encouraging.
of
The
understanding of Koreans, however, is fairly contrasted so that the exploitative nature of rule,
arbitrary governance with the discrimination and suppression, invasion of national
sovereignty as well as the international peace and others, are worse of a serious repentance
from Japan. This perspective in differences, supposedly not in disagreement though,
historically could generate a different understanding of comfort woman in the war time
between two authorities. This issue has long been in the international highlight which still
was not resolved in any satisfactory manner.
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International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
The role of theory could also be illustrated with the striking insensibilities of Chang’s
execution in North Korea, which occurred on Dec. 12, 2013. The political and legal theory
would differ between the communist and liberal states. As a variegated form of communist
regime, North Korea has exerted to make it concrete the Kim’s rule on hereditary basis. For
the absolute hierarchy of communist economy and working class, the antithetic attitude can
be punished so cruelly with a short trial and immediate execution. The concept of due process
is other theory unavailable for the rule of North Korea.
In our purpose, the role of theory has typical implications to interact with the researchers who
are responsible to create the theory and scientific
knowledge
(SAGE,
2013;
Walden
Center
for
Research Support, 2013). It inculcates the peers and
The role of theory is
enriches the resources for a level-playing ground. The
extensive
Kuhn’s paradigm perhaps could come to be shared by
the researchers. A researcher also can work on the
axioms to breed him a protégé of proponents. A new
across
the
biological aspect and on
the
human,
social,
theory produces the plane to test and apply, and make
economic,
political
or
an application (Picketty, T., 2014).
legal plane….. The role
of theory also is critical
THEORIES AND THEORISTS
to raise a commonality
One Officer: Public Administration, Society and
of
society
Professional Responsibility
congruence….
and
its
One rank officer in the Government complex
located in Gwacheon city, South Korea, sigh in the smoking booth. He was in a deep breath,
and seemed to be stymied from the intense strains and fatigue. It seems certain to be
exhausted from a murky path of privatization, flak of interested groups as well as public
criticism. The confrontation and suppressive activities of national police against the
headquarter of labor union in Seoul may approach him a kind of chaos from a violence,
atrocities, as well as the fighting words to blackmail a sedition. He works under the
administration of Park Geun-hye, now at the closing of one year in power and four years
expected on the road ahead. As a public employee, he should be loyal and faithful, as
required by the ethics code as well as the public laws on the personnel affairs and government
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
36
structure. He passed the higher exam administered by the government where he enjoyed
many amenities, status in rank and job stability, and relatively stable level of pay. He is a socalled mid-class in Korea, and, as a public administrator, responsible to shape a privatization
policy about the National Railroad (Korail) and public health system. For its nature and
dilemma among the interested group, his work involves a difficult question allocating the
resources and distributive justice. The present employees of Railroad and health professionals
generally consider a privatization as detrimental to their interests, and against their privilege
entertained from the shield of public laws and governmental practices. Their voice would
diminish, the quality of job status may be threatened, and fear that the private management
can exercise a plenary power in the cause of business reason and pursuit of commercial
interest. Their autonomy or power may well be anticipated to diminish, and they think that
the unionism will develop tweak and disorganized. In their view, it would be a course of
progress over the years that the privatized capital will twerk implementing an iron-mask logic
for efficiency, profitability, competitiveness, quality service and so. They often are
apprehended that the Job stability, economic democracy, decent standard of labor or
distributive justice and social welfare may be sacrificed from the privatization initiative. They
may envisage an equal participation for the business decision making, which is radical and
impermissible in the paradigm of liberal constitutionalism. Its practical consequence would
be continued strikes annually, and labor negotiation for the pay increase and improvement of
the working conditions. Now in the end of 2013, the conflict and tension aggravated seriously
involving two major public services in Korea. The backdrop for a social and personal chaos
could be collected in despair, angst, absurdity and so, which surrounds the development of
this public confrontation (Foucault, M, 1988). His personal emotion and psychic state may
seem to be a post modern being typically depicted by the philosophers of existentialism. The
Unified Progressive Party now became subjected to the constitutional litigation, and their fate
is highly probable to be disorganized. Its leader was criminally accused of the conspiracy to
rebel and overturn a legitimate government now in power. The national sedition or criminal
act has provisions to well incriminate his years of systemic activities. UPP’s political goal,
perhaps properly labeled in the term of national communism, is expected that can no longer
continue to survive in the soil of two Koreas. It would be a worse story for them that Jang
Sung-taek was executed in Dec, 2013 in any deprived way and against the civilized concept
of law. UPP made no public comment while people and the political parties raise a voice to
condemn the brutality of Northern regime in the peninsular. It is generally a firm conviction
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
37
for him and other public employees that the communism will certainly fail as evidenced in
history. The production and material standard of welfare should be worse as the nature of
thing so that the communist states are inevitably inferior since nobody would be willing to
consume himself without any prurient interest. He has this kind of basic assumption about an
ill aspect of communist economy or politics of the working class. He has had some time to
ponder on the morality argument or idealistic posture of communism, but could not agree
from the realities and history (1988). He generally considered the Keynesian welfare
paradigm to be idealistic, the neo-liberal strands being eclectic between the strengths and
weaknesses, and the third way espoused by A. Giddens being a workable philosophy or
making the humans and society function. On his desk, a newspaper article about the Federal
Reserve was detailed one page volume about its history, role, responsibility and recent issue
of tapering. The economic analysts in Korea heralded its impact on the world, regional and
national economies, and proposed a bright prospect to grow and prosper. The KOSDAQ will
welcome, the stock market will turn a buzz and the public would be sanguine to see the
enterprises or firms to be elevated and encouraged. A Scrooge like attitude of investors
patterned over the decades was reported to shift and turn their interest to the stock market
from the savings bank. He also charted the rise of China and is concerned of G2 politics as
the kind of circumstances posed over the course of his job responsibility as a public employee.
THEORIES AND TENETS, AND DISCIPLINE OF PUBLIC POLICY
Structuralism
As a public employee, he is required to be competent and expected to do a morally
right thing, but the reality or circumstances would not be a weather spoon or capricious, but
seems imposing. He now begins thinking a theory which is useful to inform the public
employees about his role and social expectations (Reynolds, P. D., 2007). He contemplated
two theories among others so-called structuralism and institutionalism, and made the
functionalism sided in comparison (Creswell, J.W., 2009).
Structuralism is the theory to understand the human behavior, events, occurrences, or
social phenomenon or system within a larger scale of structure, which repudiates the
possibility of realistic or scientific truths with an untainted paradigm of human elements or
social essences (Levi-Strauss, C., 1995; Piaget, J., 1970). Therefore, in this theory or tenet,
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International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
pure liberalism or communism, for example, would merely be a pseudo-science or false
assumptions to avoid the reality of human and society. It also denies a certainty of
universalism, which disregards a genuine element of humans and society as influenced by the
structure or as affected to materialistically evolve and actually phenomenological. For
example, we may derive a universal notion of reasonable person standard who is assumed to
be rational and can select an alternative to the best interest of his. A reasonableness and
rational leverage, however, may well vary with the influence, education, experience, history,
lesson, and social system already established or practiced. For example, Chinese or Koreans
may be reasonable from the western standard, but their gross part of innate mind or hidden
dimension of personhood might be oriental or readily palpable. The western standard of
reasonableness may be rejected by
some group which can be factored
by a grand scale of structure
this
idea
would
(1995;
be
1970).
useful
The structure,
anthropology,
Therefore,
to
study
psychology,
nonetheless, and in the
politics of nation or
tribes since one
tenet of structuralism
and society often
evolve
framework, could be
interacted,
sociology
affected,
and
as
shared,
ambiguous and defined
we are a policy
insufficient to generalize
leadership role, we
or assort…..
the environment or
address.
This
similar
in
way of
a
tenet
and struggled. If
maker or assume a
begin to think about
exterior conditions to
approach
of
would
come
structuralism whereas it comes
rather indefinite or malleable to adapt with levels of plane, but often resting within the
societal and humanity studies. Its hypothesis is fairly persuasive provided if the creature
never is one night product, but to experience, learn, interact and grow. That is a contrast with
the plain allegation “all creatures are innately reasonable and could be culpable for his
criminal acts.” Then it is a kind of applied concept and theory since its tenet may see a
diverse source or influence as a structure. For example, they may investigate a history about
the extension of civil law system which often approximates the influence of imperial rule,
and may determine the strands of civil law embedded as a structure to predict a due course of
jurists’ behavior. If the region is British influenced, its culture or social attitude may work as
a kind of structure and can lend the lens to comprehend or analyze their behavior or social
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
39
value. The structure, nonetheless and in the tenet of structuralism framework, could be
ambiguous and defined insufficient to generalize or assort (1995; 1970). I suppose that a
theoretical tradition or intellectual influence alone may possess the ability to constitute a
structure which is premised as well as provided as seizing to govern. For example, the poststructuralism now had been enlightened to apply the concept of Marxist theory for the
specific context of polities. The critical theory espoused by Heidegger or his protégés may be
seen to identify a governing ethos or mainstream of the academics or thoughts, and may
counteract, attempt to rectify or in the least, to criticize the society on the basis of moral and
allegedly intoxicated society within a large scale of influence, what we call structure (1995;
1970; Barrow, C.W., 1993).
Old and New Institutionalism
One counter thesis, called institutionalism or institutional theory, may claim the institution as
a more persuasive subject or lens to understand the humanity and social interaction. An
institutionalism originally focuses on the organization or institution itself and was understood
from any pure purview of institutional dynamism (Selznick, P., 1957). The intensity,
ordinance, and specificity in the theory were improved, but supposed to face with the
complicated strands largely screening out the general elements or making a relatively less
emphasis on the abstract or universal factor. The theory is largely presupposed about the basic
value or human strands to be shared and applied. It is said to have two phases where old
institutionalism churns on the ingredients of organizational studies, psychic findings of
humans as well as the morality or leadership role (1957). Hence, the paradigm could develop
to be leveraged from the liberal and communal dualism. They like to figure out how to apply
a difficult agenda, easy disagreement and dilemma of morality, to social interaction. They
perceive it pivotal to construct an acceptable society, but retreat from applying their theory
directly to the society at large. Rather, they attempt to find the concept of institution or
organization more suitable or pioneering, and their assumption should be true provided if the
institution is actually powerful to dominate the contemporary subsistence of humans. As of
the nature in this theory, the tenet can be friendly or engrafted more in frequency with the
essences of nationalism or law as well as the kind of ordained or normative order. However,
the theory can have a prongs to be abstract, as we know, which could make it applied to a
varied form of institutions. As we see its seminal or subsequent development, the earlier
industrial studies and science in US stood on this stance, which cherished the thought of
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
40
pragmatism and engineered the foundation of modern business science. Later, Huntington,
one of most influential and national political scientists, as succeeded by F. Fukuyama, has
projected the concept as old institutionalism for the nation and political theory. Hence, the
theory and tenet are closely entwined with the rise of American power in the last century
(Meyer, J.W., 1980). This influence may be structured to shape the American response with
the international community and difficult domestic issues, for example, Iraqi war and the
paradigm of small government as financially sound. In application, the nation may be the
kind of company or business organization to make a travel expediting the human or national
cause oversea or defending the American interest with
a strong government. The strong government of US
produced an imagery from the skyscrapers in New
York and colossus of US army. The military might
perhaps had been bred from the reduction of social
welfare expenditure hence, closely tied up with the
paradigm of small government. It may flavor in this
sense and apprehension that America could be an
One counter thesis,
called institutionalism
or institutional theory,
may claim the
imperialistic company charted by the Royal power or
institution as a more
King George III, a powerful monarch and exploiter.
persuasive subject or
Ironically, the Hawks in the Bush Administration call
themselves a tea party which incurred the breakout of
lens to understand the
revolutionary war in 1787. They may share a same
humanity and social
ethos or attitude, but singled out that historic symbol
to forge their political ideals. The Bush administration
interaction…..
has had a cause, perhaps, the humanistic or
international peace, sovereignty of nation, and others. In a countering argument, some
scholars raised a hidden motive to defend the national interest of oil industries within the
region. Some political scientist may call his reign a nightmare of American realism for its
dominance, new wave of dictatorship on neo-liberalization and neo-conservatism, which
cherished a business reason as we see in the decadent of feudal monarch, perhaps likely King
George III, and ironically any same name. The Bush administration also is criticized that it
failed a justice by subjecting a law as the kind of instrumentality to rule more conveniently.
In their version, the public or social value and shared experience over the American history
has been derogated to bring an apoliticism. This attribution or criticism may create an
International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
41
impression of mere replacement from the greedy King in pursuit of wealth to any faithful
servant in a mightier power, who perhaps underwrote a plutocracy or business classes under
the title of democracy.
Why, then, the US could not recourse the nationalism? We can know the rich history of
Roman law and refined institutions. The nationalism can be periled to reach a pinnacle as we
see in the Hitler’s case. The Hitler’s reign would most likely be a worst situation artistically
sublimated with the tension of imperialistic contest, corporatism, socialism and nationalism.
Paradoxically, any most stuck feels of legal theory would arise in this context to serve the
Hitler’s fascism. For the global public, it would not be preferred that the American hegemony
would develop into a nationalism or as worse, a kind of sublime form, a fascism. US has, a
decade ago, been considered as the world superpower and unipolarity in terms of the
international politics was praised. It is said to entertain a unparalleled influence in the history
well exceeding the Roman, British and any European empire. While the Pax Romana, Pax
Britannica and Pax Americana were said, the density in influence or interactiveness could not
be compared due to the compression of global village and one day travel era to the world
most distanced locale. Strictly speaking, the international peace would be in a resort and cold
balance thanks to the nuclear armistice. Besides this militaristic poise only, however, the
econo-political influence of US is striking and typically more practical with the advancement
of society and technology. Now a Throne can address every specificity on the globe and
Amazon, the book company, now explores a delivery of their books by utilizing this concept.
A satellite can picture a meter-discernible object on earth, and the social criticism had
prevailed in the international community about the impermissible or unethical intrusion of the
NSA into a private or public communication intended to be kept confidential.
The
American judiciary ruled it unconstitutional which is generally welcomed. This outcome
might be compared if the critiques of judiciary in the Bush administration largely sustained to
earn the name of political justice. As the society and its extent of influence differ, a fascism, if
it were to be some most strong form of nationalism, within the US would not be the same as
Germany in 1940’s. The institutionalism without a criticism or constructive interaction may
create a risk about an unfriendly nationalism. A caveat emptor about the theory for reasons,
the institutionalism, however, can give us greater insights to inculcate the public employees
immediately from old institutionalism and may be enriched to breed them with the branches
of new institutionalism, i.e., normative, psychological, sociological (Reynolds, P. D., 2007).
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International Journal of Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies (IJIMS), 2014, Vol 1, No.8, 30-50.
The public administrators are responsible to conduct ethically and serve a merit or policy
goals of organization. They often are required to implement the laws, programs, public
contracts, projects, and create a public value to be enforced or practiced. Therefore, the
institutional theory would bear a typical implication and be relevant to rely on. The national
public administration may hold on the goals or value about which the administrators are to be
loyal about, such as efficiency, democracy, productivity and so (Meyer, J.W., 1980). On the
other hand, the structure could be provided which provokes to contemplate for a sociably
acclaimed public policy. They have to deliberate on the question, “what is structure for the
public administrators or agents?” They also rethink, “how much are they owed to or
demanded from the institution or law?” For example, a mixed ethnicity or different races
could be a structure to understand the
American society which must capture
the concern of policy makers.
What
action? It might include
is
an
affirmative
the factors and variants
exclusively attributed
A caveat emptor about
society, such as past
the theory for reasons,
concept of justice,
the institutionalism,
which could be
structured
however, can give us
influence.
to
example would be
of
law
or race
mainstream
or
of
institutionalism.
would be for the Korean
history of bitter Korean war in
greater insights to
inculcate the public
employees….
immediately…..
to
the
American
wrongs
and
One
a critical theory
studies
in
the
American realism
Other
illustration
administrators about the
1950, diving a nation onto the
communism and liberal capitalism between two Koreas, as well as the developmental
paradigm of economy around the 1970’s and social welfare experiment in1the 980s and
1990s. This can constitute a structure to understand the anthropological or sociological
quality of nations and policy subjects. As reverted, the constitutional jurists are now faced
with a national case in any high public attention whether the UPP deserves being
disorganized. The labor unionism may have transgressed a national compromise to be desired.
Why do they act in that way? What structurally influenced them? The kind of questions could
be posed as the challenges for the public administrators of Korea. We have the laws, history
of struggle, and social system to deal with. Then it could be good from the benefit of
institutional analysis. In addition and for the relationship briefed as between the theories, the
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43
way of structuralism also can offer the kind of framework to approach, discuss, debate and
assess.
FUNCTIONALISM AND THE THEORY OF STRUCTURATION
One useful theory for the mid-level or waned-developed countries and policy makers could
be referred to the work and tenet proposed by A. Giddens (Giddens, A., 1984). His version,
often characterized a utopian realist third way, has a trajectory of articulations, criticism,
reconstruction about the modernity, capitalism, post-modernity of isolation, dysfunctional
reality, and in the search for truths. His theory can engineer a leadership, bureaucratic
function, and can serve a new paradigm for the ruling class. He is basically a sociologist, and
one of most cited scholars in the humanities. His theory can be considered as powerful
framework to lend the mask and mindset of devotion for the leaders and public administrators.
Provided if a unipolarity in the international politics may decrease with the dual or polycenters, his theory could exploit the ways and may exercise a practical influence for the
superpowers or most developed countries. For instance, the propensity or political ideals from
China, one of G2 countries, may be tested in parallel with the US, largely most liberal horns
in the world and considered as a country of most institutional nation. While the law
represents an expression of political consent, it would generally be a most typical of right
wing politics. It composes a factor in most tense to explain an institutional thinking or
institutionalism.
As a sociologist, his theory, called structuration, would bring an
ideological realism and one of most possible alternatives that the leaders or public
administrators could face up with the international challenges (1984). As the nomenclature of
his theory flavors, it presents some extent of firmness than the structuralism argument, which,
therefore, is basically European, a secondary loci from the shift of world power (from Europe
to the US), but fairly constructive for an ideo-practical influence . Hence, it could be a midform of instrumentality between abiding by the national laws, often most tangible and being
merely structural. One scholar pointed to the classification of philosophical, political or social
theories based from an attribute, theoretical lens and purpose, which are to be explicable
between the ruling and ruled. While the ruling class is small in size within the society, they
are its prime engine and culprit to move forward the society from a generally unorganized
base of people. In this light, the theory of Giddens certainly echoes, particularly for the public
administrators in this highly globalized society (1984). He would be termed as one of most
prominent thinkers of functionalism with his great insight about the humanity, society, history
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44
and philosophical understanding. For example, Korean public administrators may orient
themselves for his professional attitude as combined with the loyalty to the state and law,
functionalists mind and alliance theory. This paradigm would not be improbable given my
enriched interplay with the Korean culture, political and social history, events and dynamism.
They tend to consider the policy subjects or ruled people in kindred-ship on one hand, but the
laws or institutional demand would be very dominant. In the last Korail strike, they
negotiated and persuaded among another to make the government and Korail, one of worse
public enterprises with an enormous debt, to function. The mid-level tension or conflict
existed between the hard force of law and struggles to improve or progress. If the law and
public institution were to be absolute, the arrest of union leaders or enforcement of criminal
justice would not be delayed nor failed. The poll revealed a high percentage of disagreements
with the labor strike, but some people may be attuned with their action. For example, some
said, “they are our families and kindred” as narrated in the alliance theory. A large number of
people disagreed, but it is not certain if they support or favor the law enforcement or
government intervention. I suppose, however, that a prevailing percentage of people are
institutionalism adherent in Korea, to say, the guarantor of national laws. If people were to
say, “… chronicled,…” “a kind of déjà vu,….” “…annual feast” or some similarities, the
structuration as argued by Giddens might come into reality (1984).
Then we can ask if we arrive at any utopian reality. If our mind would go to make it more
progressive or idealistic and churns on the phenomenology, factors, or activism as developed
in the society, then Korea may still be said to be friendly with the structuralism thinking. This
point may be in departure from the institutionalism, perhaps the structuration as modest,
which may be singled out to show that it could be a different dose for the class of people
(Levi-Strauss, C., 1995; Meyer, J.W., 1980; 1984). The ruling class most likely is in want of
utopia and the kind of utopian paradigm since they need to be empowered. Marx and Engels,
for example, are the sons of bourgeois class at their time. His idea would be scientific, but
included the utopian ways of thinking. For the public administrators, however, they could not
avert his eyes from the reality. What is the reality checkpoint for the leadership of President
or governors? We often relate a structuralism idea with the socialist or communist thinking
which are mostly true if in a political frame. Although the communism or its quasi-religious
easiness were to disappear in this present day, it is not surprising that many new born states in
1940s underwrote the communism as their state ideal. That would not be surprising if the
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45
state or public administration is communal in a most quality and it would appeal to the public
for its idealistic theme, perhaps emancipation of labor and economic equality in the society.
The structuralism ideas, however, could enhance our understanding about the humanity,
anthropology, and psychology, which are besides its impracticability for the sensitive states,
notably South Korea with his northern enemy. The structure, in this dimension, would not be
limited to a certain ideology, but can be scoped as grand, influential, as well as fundamental
and most persuasive or determinative (Levi-Strauss, C., 1995). The agents or subjects are
interactive, communal, and societal who were to be learned and cultivated. For instance, a
large number of Korean people may respect Mencian preaching or Confucianism as we
occasionally encounter the fanfare of Kim Yong-ok’s lecture. It is the kind of structure that the
public administrators need to appreciate. We would term and had been educated that the
industrialization drive in the 1960’s and 1970’s were necessary, and evolved correctively with
the concept of social justice as well as western paradigm of democracy in the late 1980’s and
afterwards. Then that is the kind of structure under which the public administrators may act
or implement. As mentioned, both ideas are European, and may project similar strands for the
intellectual coverage of world politics after the advent of new world hegemony. The
difference may be identified that the structuration is rather static and more adaptive to the
bureaucratic elites or ruling class. You may imagine the income citizens or ranked officers
who are tedious about the Korail strike while the union members in the news scene are
physically struggling. The contrast may help to focus on the functionality of agents, who
often are the ruling class because the ruled class generally is poor, hence passive or because
the exploitation or disparity in aspects may impede a human function in various ways. For
example, the education may lack or could be insufficient against the economically poor
which may paralyze their functionality in the international plane. In this sense, the English
education in Korea was fanned and often seen indispensable for the Korean household.
The
theory of structuralism, on the other, may be dynamic or creative to inquire and interact, and
include the whole of social class (Creswell, J.W., 2009; Reynolds, P. D., 2007).
Given the theory of functionalism explores a social engine to rule and inculcate, it might be
correct to recourse the thought of J.J. Rousseau since he laid the foundation of democratic
rule in the modern times. The collective will from J.J. Rousseau would be a sprite that the
agents, particularly the government employees and conscientious commons, could claim a
basis for his function. Comte’s positivism also offers a backdrop to develop the functionalist
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46
theme and to pursue a well-streamed function of the agents, society, and state, and
international society. The theory can complement with the scientific autonomy and possibility
of new horizon for the human agents to function as endowed. Radcliff-Brown and Giddens
might be reminiscent of Pluto’s justice about a polity or city state where all citizens could
function as gifted. That approach is in some contrast with the Roman ways, who considered,
for example, the Justinian code is in top priority to govern. The political scientists often
compare a US hegemony with the Roman Republic.
The normative or institutional ways of thinking, then,
may be interestingly juxtaposed to fit within the
attribute of two hegemonies. If the institutionalism or
normative approach is seen a prevailing theory for the
The theory can
complement with the
Americans and their bureaucrats, it can be derived
scientific autonomy and
that the hegemony or superpower, if unitary and
possibility of new
unrivalled as in Rome or perhaps US as short though
of ten years in the last century, may favor a law and
horizon for the human
institution. Then we can class three influences in
agents to function as
order about its extent of being static and concrete,
which would be the institutionalism, functionalism,
endowed….mighte be
notably the theory of structruation as argued by
reminescent of Pluto’s
Giddens, and structuralism (Levi-Strauss, C., 1995;
justice about a polity or
Piaget, J., 1970; 1984).
city state where all
One precept, however, needs to be drawn about the
collective will or social perfectionism, which can be
related with the dictatorship of Hitler or other fears of
citizens could function
as endowed…..
intoxication. It could be worse than the communism
or
boss
nationalism.
If
we
say
the
Bush
Administration a kind of boss nationalism, who might be depicted from some circle as both a
corporate head and ruler of nation, we may impute him as a nightmare against the settled
understanding of US democracy and about the compassion, history or American value of
society. However, that would be all of him whose rule would be on the business and to the
interest of Us economy and prestige. Perhaps most economists in the practice and teaching
within the US, notwithstanding the pure theorists, would be the kind of Bush’s protégé if
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47
ideologically and intellectually speaking. They are advocates on the pro-growth stance and
often figurative of how to boost the national and world economy. They may be, then, a least
with the economy only and subject to a political shift. The social nationalism, as I like call it
to define Hitler’s reign, would possess a more quality for the possibility of dictatorship. He
can be seen as totalitarian to be ambitious for the whole class of society, notwithstanding the
capitalists and labor, and the religious-like belief on Germania made it aggressive and
expansive (Radcliff-Brown,
A.R., 1958). The consequence had been serious to persecute
both the communists and Jewish people, who could transmit an image of two notorious
classes in the society and history. The hidden stories about the World War II dramatized by
BBC documented a persecution of communist lawyers, named Litton, and many other
examples around Chile, Argentine, and others. Hence, the inchoate ideas presented in the
context to rebel the rule of monarchy or other absolute nature of belief system, such as
Rousseau’s, has to be used in some care and requisite scrutiny. The collective will or social
totalitarianism untainted and pure in the Rousseau’s case may evolve and diverge on a
science and concern, but its antithesis against one man rule, aristocracy, anti-democratic
legitimacy of any kinds or religious hypocrisy could be bought to develop the functionalist
theme. For the public administrators, his or her functionality has to be on the science-based
and professionally applied or leveled where he or she could not enforce his policy or public
project merely on some kind of appeal or oppression. They have to be a reasonable agent at
the national and global scale who can function and deliver effectively their professional
responsibility. The ideas that the agents and subjects can learn, grow and be cultivated is an
important thesis from J.J. Rousseau, J.S. Mills, John Dewy, Ronald Dworkin, Sen, Radcliff
and Giddens (Giddens, A., 1984). It is one important strand of justice that Plato and Aristotle
had confirmed from their close examination of prescient. It is plainly encouraging that the
Korean government spends to educate their bureaucrats with one year leave for the foreign
universities or perhaps national universities in this contemporary age as likely being a global
village. A Sabbatical often practiced by the global universities may be seen in this purview
that the professors learn and grow to support the society in many ways.
A CONCLUDING INSIGHT: RESEARCH OFFICERS AND MANAGERS
Therefore, I consider that the three theories are closely intertwined to shape the propensity
and intelligence, and in some cases, moral attitudes of public administrators. They principally
are required to respect the law and national government, and must understand the
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48
environments or circumstances where the general base of people is disposed (Radcliff-Brown,
A.R., 1958). They need to be cautious not to practice a dereliction or manipulation for their
policy addresses, often called a citizenry in the liberal society or perhaps denizens in the
communist states. A more critical understanding about the policy environment would help to
yield a better result of policy design and implementation. In this aspect, the structuralism
views could help. For example, Korean people is an orthodox society on the linguistics and
ethnicity, and the public employees can utilize this understanding to assess how much
effective a zoning of English Village would be in the Sohn Hak-kyu’s case. One incident
stirred the Islam community in Korea since the city mayor revoked years of construction
license in Incheon city to some critical detriment of Islam. It defamed an international
reputation of Korean civilization and public administration. A narrow and determined mindset
of leaders and administrators to abhor or if lesser, avoid the kind of factors, such as idealistic,
communal or ethics and who would go only fiduciary for the property concept, contract
freedom, and minimalism of government, might not be preferable for the discipline of public
administration. How could such public project be realized to zone the fine satellite cities,
Bundang and Ilsan, without the picturesque or idealistic imagery and affectation into the
mind of project officers. How do the governmental employees suffer to work in the office
located in distance (two hours driving from Seoul) if without the love and affection for the
community and citizenry? Why do we preferably require a presidential candidate to
experience the community movement or act as an organizer as we see Noh Moo-hyun in early
of new millennium. That would not be solely for the US case as we know from an Obama’s
career, but now the public in Korea evaluate the electoral candidates concerning how they
serve the community and generate a public good in his career. I suppose that the three
theories could work in order as a kind of bible, reference to fill the gap about the proper ways
to function, and intelligence of public employees.
For example, I may have been interested in the integration of Europe, and concerned about
the public administration of European Union. It fairly approximates the advent and
framework of federal system in US around the 18 and 19 th centuries. It failed to organize one
federal nation which was vetoed by the French people about years ago. The chance to one
federal government and under the single constitution in the EU would likely be hardly
achievable if we know that France is one of most pro-federalism country. Even some nations,
like Great Britain, may explore to renounce its membership status. Different ethnicities and
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49
languages, and most decisively, the level of economic status would militate against one union
in Europe. However, they administer a public policy and manage the regime of higher laws to
preempt the national laws. Hence, the practical aspect of public administration would not be
dissimilar with the US in extent. For example, the federal common laws are very restrictive
and no uniform criminal code is enforced in the US. Of course, the United States is
represented by the federal presidency diplomatically, who is a chief administrator to execute
the laws and also is responsible for the national army. The US Congress works under the
bicameralism and is empowered a unique authority to legislate and enact. The European
Commission and Parliament, an equal branch to the President and Congress from the US,
never possess such a quality. Hence, we would not be incorrect to evaluate that only a small
of civil dimension, to cover the trade regulation, customs and financial policy or labor
mobility and other some would be administered in the EU government. In this context, I may
research or consider the nature of public administration in the EU, and the normative
influence of EU institutions or laws in consideration of the factors on the structuralism and
structuration or functionalism. That would be analyzed or discussed in a comparative
paradigm with the public administration of national government. That would be the kind of
meditation process for the managers and basic deliberation of research officers. Then theories
would not be an impalpable troll, but would intervene in any practical way as we rattle on the
new allegation from Picketty, T (2014).
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Kiyoung Kim