Politics-Administration Dichotomy: The Power of Institutionalisation-OziomaChi
*Politics-Administration Dichotomy: The Power of Institutionalisation-OziomaChi* In the late 19th century, Woodrow Wilson (1887) proposed the principle of politics-administration dichotomy as a solution to the inefficiencies of the American spoil system. This era was marked by widespread nepotism, bureaucratic pathology, and primitive prebendalism, resulting in administrative inefficiency and stunted development. Wilson's concept aimed to address these issues by separating politics from administration. The politics-administration dichotomy posits that politics should focus on policy formulation, while administration should concentrate on policy implementation. This separation of functions would enable politicians and administrators to operate within distinct realms, eliminating overlapping roles and promoting efficiency. Politics at its core involves making policies that reflect the will of the people, while administration involves executing these policies without political interf...