Can the Study of Public Administration do without a Concept of the State?

Abstract

Attempts to refound the study of public administration are not new. As early as the 19th century, the German scholar Lorenz Von Stein (1815-1890) tried to develop an encompassing study that was theoretically coherent and practically relevant. His views are often surprisingly modern in outlook and intent. The conceptual cornerstone in his approach is the state. Von Stein thus provides an outlook many contemporary students of public administration, especially in America, would like to do away with. Can we refound public administration without it, or do we need a concept of state as a focal point for defining public administration?