Origin and Evolution of Administration

of Administration

ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION

OF ADMINISTRATION

Hunter-Gatherer Societies (Pre-Neolithic Era)

Ancient Civilizations (Before Common Era)

Classical Civilizations (1st millennium BCE - 5th century CE)

Medieval and Feudal Period (5th - 15th century)

Rise of Nation-States and Modern Administration (15th - 18th century)

Enlightenment and Administrative Reforms (18th - 19th century)

Modern Administrative Thought (20th century)

Contemporary Developments (21st century)

Maria José Martínez

• Greek City-States (5th - 4th century BCE): The Greek city-states introduced the concept of democratic governance and the practice of public administration through elected officials who managed public affairs.
• Roman Empire (1st century BCE - 5th century CE): The Roman administrative system focused on efficient governance, emphasizing hierarchy, division of labor, and a well-organized bureaucracy to manage its vast empire.

• Enlightenment Thinkers: Thinkers like Montesquieu and Rousseau emphasized separation of powers and rational governance, influencing administrative thought.
• Industrial Revolution (18th - 19th century): The emergence of industrial society led to administrative challanges related to urbanization, labor relations, and public health.

• During the Middle Ages, administration was often interwined with feudal systems, where lords managed their territories with a hierarchical structure.

• Mesopotamia (circa 4000 BCE): The need for organized administration arose in the early city-states of Mesopotamia, leading to the development of basic administrative systems to manage resources, record transactions, and maintain societal order.
• Ancient Egypt (circa 3000 BCE): The Egyptian civilization developed complex administrative structures to manage the construction of monumental structures, agricultural production, taxation, and record-keeping.

• Administration continues to evolve in response to technological advancements, globalization, and changing governance models. Digitalization, e-governance, and data-driven decision-making are prominent trends.

• Scientific Management (early 20th century): Frederick Taylor's scientific management principles aimed to increase efficiency through systematic analysis of work processes.
• Bureaucratic Theory (early to mid-20th century): Max Weber's theory emphasized rationality, hierarchy, specialization, and formal rules in bureaucratic organizations.
• Human Relations Movement (mid-20th century): This movement highlighted the importance of human aspects in administration and emphasized employee well-being.
• New Public Management (late 20th century): This approach focused on incorporating private sector practices into public administration, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and customer orientation.

OF ADMINISTRATION

• Early human societies were nomadic hunter-gatherer groups that lived in small bands.
• Administration in these groups was likely based on informal leadership and consensus decision-making within the community.
• Roles were likely determied by age, experience, and skills, with leadership often emerging based on qualities such as wisdom or hunting prowess.

• Renaissance Period (14th - 17th century): The Renaissance brought about a revival of learning and exploration, influencing governance and administration.
• Mercantilism and Colonialism (16th - 18th century): European powers developed administrative systems to manage colonial territories, focusing on resource extraction and trade.