History and American public administration

As the end of this millennium approaches, American public administration ha s begun a reexamination of its history. This article examines American publ ic administration's understanding and use of history and suggests improveme nts in public administration theory that might derive from a more conscient ious treatment of history. It begins by framing an understanding of history that does not retreat to the ancient faith in immutable truth but eschews the typical modem dependence on a belief in progress. Many public administr ation textbooks present the history of American public administration as if ii did not really begin until the 1880s, treating the Progressive Era as t he foundation for the eternal verities of public administration. A more inc lusive view could be more intelligently critical of Progressive Era innovat ions. It could also provide a more complete understanding of who public adm inistrators are and how they can become what they want to be.