Results
Besides satisfying a historical interest, the research presented here has direct relevance for current administrative science. From a theoretical perspective, the transfer of ideas approach – the analytical framework presented in the first paper – may help to complement comparative Public Administration. If comparative scholars conceptualize administrative paths as isolated and autonomous, they must comprehend ideational change by referring to ‘critical junctures’ as periods of significant change, or, alternatively, they will have to continue merely describing incremental change. The transfer of ideas approach also takes ‘critical junctures’ into account, but it additionally conceptualizes ‘change’ as a result of mutual inspiration and fertilization. Metaphorically speaking, it thus sets rather static national traditions in motion.
From an empirical perspective, Rosser’s doctoral research sheds more light on terminological and conceptual differences between American and German ways of thinking about the field. For instance, Wilson’s somewhat unclear stance towards the politics-administration dichotomy is clarified by showing that Wilson followed German proponents of organic state theory and saw a political role of administration. To add another example, the typical American (mis)interpretation of Weber as a promoter of administrative efficiency may not have been that big a mistake after all. In fact, many American authors may have had a more adequate understanding of Weber than often is assumed. In a nutshell, the four papers provide thorough basic knowledge about essential administrative concepts. They may thus contribute to the education of future Public Administration scholars and practitioners.