Out of the Woods

Abstract

In "Into the Woods," Karen Evans describes an increasingly hollow public administration environment that is shaped by a misplaced quest for efficiency. She looks to the pragmatism of John Dewey as a way to remedy the situation. This article extends her analysis by linking pragmatism to reflective thought, inquiry, nonlinear dynamics, and communication theories. Finally, a few suggestions for how to more fully take pragmatism to the PA workplace are discussed.Karen Evans (2010) brings together an impressive set of trends and circumstances that suggest pubic administration is facing almost insurmountable, intractable problems. She describes a dire picture of a hollow state that lost

Developing Critical Reflection in Asynchronous Discussions; the Role of the Instructor

“…Critical thinking or being critical could also be focused on improvement, enabling managers to identify ways to improve their work and create value more efficiently (Wallo et al, 2022). To promote this type of critical thinking, creative solutions can be found through questioning established definitions of a problem (Ellström, 2001; Wallo et al, 2022) where students reflectively think of the consequences of applying their solutions (Salem & Shields, 2011). Being critical can also involve critiquing established ideology, theory, text, or process (Cunliffe, 2002; Hibbert, 2013).…”

Pragmatist Tools for Public Administration

“…For example, Shields’s 2008 “Rediscovering the Taproot: Is Classical Pragmatism the Route to Renew Public Administration?” which marks a significant contribution to this debate, is found in Public Administration Review. Other participants in this second debate include Evans (2005), Shields (2003, 2005), Miller (2004, 2005), Snider (2005, 2011), Evans (2010), Salem & Shields (2011), Hildebrand (2005), and Hoch (2006).…”