國立臺灣大學政治科學論叢

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Woodrow  Wilson  is  well  respected  as  the  father  of  American  administrationstudy. “The Study of Administration,” which was published in 1887, is regarded asa landmark work in this discipline. There is much research debating the influence of“The Study of Administration”. However, by learning more about the genesis anddevelopment of Wilson’s academic concern, we can better understand the meaningand value of “The Study of Administration”. This article will discuss the origins, theresearch   consciousness   formation,   and   the   enlightenment   of   “The   Study   ofAdministration”. By reviewing Wilson’s writings before 1886, we find that Wilsonwas concerned with the national development of his country, and that he diagnosedthe  sources  of  American  development  problems  from  the  view  of  constitutionaltheory.  Wilson  thought  that  the  American  government,  under  the  principle  ofseparation of powers, might evolve into diffusion of powers and domination by theCongress,  and  that  therefore  nobody  would  answer  for  the  failure  of  policyimplementation.  This  kind  of  government  could  not  get  the  U.S.  ahead.  Facingconstitutional  difficulties  head  on,  Wilson  suggested  diagnoses  and  solutions,otherwise  known  as  the  “politics-administration  dichotomy”.  By  order  of  priority,the  political  problems  are  though  fundamental  not  urgent,  and  the  administrativeproblems both derivative and imperative. “The Study of Administration” deals withthe derivative and imperative problems, and also dwells on the attributes, categoriesof missions, and values of administration in democratic government. “The Study ofAdministration”  laid  down  the  foundations  for  solving  the  fundamental  politicalproblems of the day.