Essay on Sustainable Development for Public Administration
The book Sustainable Development for Public Administration written by Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger and John R. Bartle deserves special attention of everyone who wants to learn more about the relationship between sustainability and public administration. The concepts of sustainability and sustainable development play a crucial role in the overall understanding of the significance of public administration. Actually, public administration is focused on the management of human impact on the environment and preservation of the welfare of all citizens. The authors of the book place emphasis not only on sustainability and sustainable planning, but also on the economics of sustainable development and the environment, risk management practices of the government, and environmental issues, such as drinking water supply, food security and safety, waste removal issues, transportation challenges, etc. Moreover, the authors are qualified to write on this topic. Dr. Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger has enough knowledge and experience to explore sustainable development as she is an Associate Professor in Public Administration/Political Science at Bridgewater State University. Besides, she is involved in coordination practices, working in the Center for Sustainability. John R. Bartle is her colleague. The authors of the book explore an important topic because sustainable development should be supported by a wide range of factors, including various technologies in such areas as education, information, communication, energy, agriculture, industry, etc. Access to these technologies guarantees successful development of human society.
The explanation of the authors’ major thesis
The authors’ major thesis is that environmental sustainability is considered to be the key function of public administration as it provides all citizens an opportunity to enjoy resources and welfare, having a strong impact on the success and preservation of organizations, the effectiveness of organizational plans and the nation’s economic prosperity. The authors of the book explore a wide range of important sustainability issues that are “rooted in the management of natural resources and capital” (Leuenberger & Bartle, 2009, p. 4). Actually, sustainable development provides an effective plan of actions aimed at integration of environmental sustainability into practice. As environmental resources stand for the so-called “natural capital”, public administration should consider the role of various organizational plans, decisions and actions that have direct relation to biological systems, including environmental protection, transportation and other issues.
The authors identify three major goals of sustainable development: biological system goals, economic system goals and social system goals. Sustainable development ensures that the system is effective and does not cause damage to other systems, maintaining the established living standards and life-supporting components. Sustainable development is based on meeting the needs of today’s generations, as well as providing the ability to meet the needs of future generations.
The analysis and assessment of the author’s supporting arguments
The authors of the book use reliable supporting arguments that contribute to the overall understanding of the key message. Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger and John R. Bartle use documentation on environmental sustainability, conference on public administration notes, peer-reviewed articles, professional publications, statistical data, the U.S. laws, rules and regulations. The authors provide valid sources and documentary materials that help to support the key arguments.
The authors’ supportive arguments involve the discussion of the key issues on the economics of sustainable development, cost-benefit analysis, measurement of inputs, outputs and outcomes of sustainable development, etc. Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger and John R. Bartle discuss the role of sustainable development as a local issue and as a global issue, placing emphasis on the individual decisions at both local and global levels. For example, the authors refer to sustainable transportation policy that can help to enhance long-term growth and the quality of life. According to Deniz Zeynep Leuenberger and John R. Bartle (2009), sustainable transportation should be aimed at elimination of “wasteful and destructive incentives” (p. 88).
Assessment of the validity of the author’s argument
The book Sustainable Development for Public Administration written by Leuenberger and Bartle is worth reading and analyzing. The authors’ argument is valid. The validity of the argument can be determined by the validity of the author’s conclusion. The authors claim that sustainable development in the field of public administration depends on the effectiveness of application of sustainability to community planning, community growth and other structures. They highlight the importance of the key sustainability-related concepts of public administration, including community members’ participation, equity and preservation of natural capital.
The book contributes to the literature on sustainable development, providing much important information on the required topic. The authors are interested in analysis of the balancing between biological, economic and social needs of community members. In other words, the book Sustainable Development for Public Administration reinforces other literature in this area, providing more comprehensive approach to the study of sustainability in public administration.
Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that the book Sustainable Development for Public Administration written by Deniz Z. Leuenberger and John Bartle is worth reading because the authors refer to an important issue in the field of public administration. Sustainability and sustainable development discussed in the book are two important concepts that can be applied to the field of public administration. The authors’ argument is valid. The reader has an opportunity to assess the authors’ argument that sustainable development provides support to equal access and comprehensive approach to the natural capital, highlighting the necessity to manage natural resources in the way that will promote the preservation of these resources for future generations.
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