日本財団 図書館


Sheet 5

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

The public service can be characterized as follows.

 

1 Public Interest

 

The private sector seeks to profit from providing products and services in public demand. Certain private enterprises, however, provide services which might be considered as "public interests" such as power generation, gas and transportation. The bottom line of these operations, of course, is basically to make profit. In contrast to this, the main priority of the public service is "public interest" not profit. Most public service expenses are borne by the taxpayer. There is no direct relation between cost and benefit.

 

2 Fairness and Neutrality

 

Private companies can provide special offers, or give discount whenever and to whoever they wish. The public service, on the other hand, must refrain from giving any form of preferential treatment to any entity at any time. The public service must provide fair and neutral treatment to all. Fairness can only be achieved through stability and continuity in the public service. Instability and sudden change increases the possibility of unfair conduct.

 

3 Authority

 

Business activities in the private sector, especially regarding contracts, are based on agreements between all the parties concerned. Nobody, in theory, can be forced to sign an agreement against their will. The public service, on the other hand, has the power to enforce a blanket public policy across the entire nation through coercion and penalty.

 

4 Monopoly

 

In the private sector, with no restrictions on entering the market, anyone and everyone can compete with major enterprises. Individuals can choose the services of whichever company they prefer.

In regard to the public service, however, aside from schools and hospitals, private enterprises are not permitted to undertake services already provided by the government. The government has a monopoly over particular services. The general public is affected by this in that they have no choice of jurisdiction. If people are unsatisfied with the level of service provided by the city government where they live they are unable to avail of the services provided in a neighboring city unless they actually relocate there. Outside their power in the ballot box, the public has little choice regarding the public service.

 

5 Legal Bindings

 

Public activities must, in principle, be operated under the guidelines of particular laws and regulations. Public trust is core to the success of government administration. These laws and regulations reflect activities which the public entrusts the government to undertake. Public officials must have a legal base for every action they conduct. This characteristic, however, is sometimes responsible for too much bureaucracy within public administration.

 

 

 

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