Introduction On August 12, 2010, the Governor of Illinois notified the Federal State Employee Union (FSEU) Local 343, of the state’s intent to outsource and privatize the Department of Transportation (DoT) information systems management function (B. Glenn, personal communication, August 20, 2010). In response, Mr. Padilla, the president of the FSEU Local No. 343, requests the FSEU Director of Human Resources, Ms. Glenn to evaluate the notification. The memorandum dated August 20, 2010, includes Ms. Glenn’s reasons and recommendation for opposing the proposal. The paper will evaluate the memorandum using the critical thinking model outlined by Browne and Keeley (2010) in their book Asking the Right Questions. It will apply the described methodologies to assess the communication’s content, conclusion, and reasons. Additionally, by answering the eleven questions ambiguities will be highlighted, fallacies in reasoning illustrated, and underlying assumptions identified. The paper will also provide an assessment on the quality of arguments and the soundness of the author’s reasoning. What are the issues and conclusions? The memo sent from Ms. Glenn to Mr. Padilla discusses the opposing viewpoints associated with the state’s intent to outsource and privatize the DoT information systems management function. The main issue identified in the communication relates to the question of responding to the proposal: should it be opposed (Glenn, p.1). As a result, the memorandum evaluates the position the union should take and concludes that “the FSEU Local No. 343 should challenge the governor’s proposed privatization of the DoT information systems management function as an unfair management practice” (Glenn, p. 2). What are the reasons? T... ... middle of paper ... ... the displaced employees. Conclusion After applying the critical thinking framework advocated by Browne and Keeley (2010) several shortcomings in reasoning become obvious. As illustrated throughout the paper the memo is emotionally charged, employs poor evidence, and contains reasoning fallacies. Based on the findings the conclusion can neither be accepted nor rejected. It would advisable to obtain further information before arriving at a decision on the matter. Works Cited Browne, M. N., & Keeley, S.M. (2010). Asking the right questions: A guide to critical thinking (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Mintz, S. (2007). Civil service reform. Digital History. Retrieved from www.digitalhistory.uh.edu National Archives and Records Administration (n.d.) Pendleton Act. Retrieved from http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=48
S., & Bedau H. (Eds.) Current issues and enduring questions: a guide to critical thinking and argument, with readings. (pp.551-552). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
The new public management states that, “cities are growing more and more like corporations referring to citizens as customers in the sense that they are providing product or goods (services) to the customer (taxpayers).” This had led to an increased demand for better quality at the lowest cost to the taxpayer. When looking at cost saving and alternative delivery municipalities must make a hard decision when choosing to contract out essential services.
Modern Bureaucracy in the United States serves to administer, gather information, conduct investigations, regulate, and license. Once set up, a bureaucracy is inherently conservative. The reason the bureaucracy was initiated may not continue to exist as a need in the future. The need or reason may change with a change in the times and the culture needs. A bureaucracy tends to make decisions that protect it and further it’s own existence, possibly apart from the wishes of the populace. It may not consistently reflect what might be optimal in terms of the needs and wants of the people. Local governments employ most of the United States civil servants. The 14 cabinet departments in the U.S. are run day-to-day by career civil servants, which have a great deal of discretionary authority.
Vaughn, L. (2013). The power of critical thinking. (4th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University
The author Vincent Ruggiero defines critical thinking in his book Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, as a “search for answers, a quest.” It is the idea that one does not accept claims, ideas, and arguments blindly, but questions and researches these things before making a decision on them. From what I learned in class, critical thinking is the concept of accepting that there are other people and cultures in this world that may have different opinions. It is being able to react rationally to these different opinions.
Hanson’s op-ed piece “Heavy Price Of Defense Spending Cuts: nations that choose butter over guns atrophy and die” contains significant thinking shortcomings. Using Gerras’ paper, “Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking: A Fundamental Guide for Strategic Leaders,” one gains insights to analyze these shortcomings.
Goodsell, T. C. (2004). The Case for Bureaucracy: A public administration polemic (4th ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press, SAGE, 2004, 208 pages, $33.81 softcover, ISBN: 978-1-56802-907-8.
Rpt. in Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings. 9th ed. Ed. Sylvan Barnet and Hugo Bedau. Boston: St. Martin’s, 2011. 192-194. Print
Elder, Linda. “The 18th International Conference on Critical Thinking and Educational Reform.” 18th International Conference on Critical Thinking. 4 Aug. 1998. The Center for Critical Thinking <http://www.criticalthinking.org/University/univcomm/conf/conftext.nclk>.
Many public agencies in recent years have followed the trend of privatization, or contracting-out. Activities and functions that were once performed, or services that were once provided, by public employees are now being performed by private sector employees (Lyons). Vehicle towing, health services, police protection, and solid waste collection are among the many services and functions that government has contracted out. A survey in 1995 that was sent to mayors or city managers of America's largest cities (based on population) revealed that only three of the 66 cities that responded to the survey had not privatized any city services. http://fpac.fsu.edu/parbaby/pdf/1997/janfeb/dilger.pdf This trend translates to not only an administrative concerns but a staffing concern faced by many managers.
Gives both a framework and set of tools to get started with critical thinking. This is from a business perspective so the author uses some of
Chris had just been promoted as an Executive Assistant for Pat the CEO, Chief Executive Officer, of Faith Community Hospital. Pat had given Chris her very first assignment on her first day of work as an executive assistant and that was to gather information so that Pat can present the issues to the board of directors. Faith Hospital is faced with issues that needed attention and the board of directors must be notified of the issues so that a solution can be remedy to help the hospital stay in business.
Critical thinking is a significant and essential topic in recent education. The strategy of critical thinking skills helps identify areas in one's courses as the suitable place to highlight, expand and use some problems in exams that test students' critical thinking skills.
Rabin, J. (2003). Encyclopedia of public administration and public policy: K-Z. United States: CRC press.
...ice of public administration will continue to change with the further advances in society. Already there are many of issues that tomorrow’s public administrators will be dealing with. These issues will be varied and complex and will concern the ongoing development of computers, possible advancements in health care and science, and even major social and legislative shifts.