THE ADMINISTRATIVE RATIONAL MODEL AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATION THEORY

One of the most prestigious scholars in the social sciences over the p ast half century hers been Herbert A. Simon His administrative rationa l model of organization is frequently identified as a generic approach applicable to either government or corporate enterprises. In this cri tical essay, I examine Simon's model's ability to serve as mt impetus to the types of reason and politics necessary for more authentic publi c organizations. This article also elucidates how the fundamental conc erns of his model are antithetical to the political, moral, and ration ality criteria required for democratic politics and public action with in organizational environments.