Reason, discretion, and tradition - A reflection on the Burkean worldview and its implications for public administration

This article seeks to better identify Edmund Burke's views an human reason and human nature, tradition, representation, and law, and the implications of these views for public administration Parallels between Burke's thought and that of the Founders (Founding Fathers) are examined Also, the reasons for neglect of Burke's thought by public administration writers are discussed. Drawing on Burke's thought the article presents an argument for the exercise of significant discretion by public administrators bur argues that this discretion should be limited by administrative rules and procedures and by a set of ethics that emphasizes prudence and tradition.