These terms are often used interchangeably, and no wonder. In fact, they are intertwined and complementary. Public administration stands above state administration and local government, and local authorities usually perform certain duties that fall under state administration. In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these concepts and explain what they entail.
Public administration comprises the set of activities carried out by state authorities, municipal and regional governments, and other public bodies. These activities ensure the proper functioning of the public sector and the performance of public functions.
Public administration thus deals with all activities that are of general interest and are carried out through public institutions. This includes, for example, the management of public finances, decision-making, environmental protection, the provision of public services, etc. It is therefore about ensuring the functioning of (not only) the state in relation to and in the interest of the public.
Public administration has several basic functions:
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Public administration entities include:
Tip: Our judicial system also falls under public administration. The court system of the Czech Republic may seem relatively clear and straightforward, but we still encounter a number of questions about it. In our article we will set the record straight.
The basic division of public administration is into state administration and local government. We will now take a closer look at this division:
State administration is the administration of state affairs at the national level. It is carried out either by state agencies or by agencies of public corporations under delegated powers. Its main task is to implement state policy and ensure compliance with the law in all areas of life in the country. The state administration is hierarchically organised and subject to central coordination.
The bodies exercising state administration in the Czech Republic can be divided into two basic categories according to their roles and powers:
It also includes other public authorities, such as state funds and other authorised bodies such as public guards.
Self-government is the principle whereby certain powers and responsibilities of public administration are devolved from the central level (state government) to the local level (municipalities and counties or interest-based self-governing organisations). It is a mode of organisation and governance that allows citizens and their representatives (councils) to manage and decide on issues in a local and regional context.
Self-government is divided into territorial self-government and interest-based self-government:
Territorial self-government operates on the basis of the principle of autonomy of municipalities and regions, which are assigned certain powers and responsibilities within their territorial jurisdiction. Municipalities and regions are headed by councils, which are elected representatives who decide on local matters, approve the budget, decide on investments, issue general binding decrees, etc.
Municipalities and counties make decisions in a number of areas within local government – they administer the municipal police, decide on local subsidies, etc. Municipalities and counties have their own assets which they manage and are responsible for local development, infrastructure and the administration of municipal services (e.g. waste management). They also provide local social services to some extent, manage local education and cultural activities.
Some municipalities also delegate part of the administration of the state administration. These municipalities are then called municipalities with delegated powers. Delegated powers are usually the responsibility of the municipal authority. This includes, for example, the power to draw up spatial development principles and land-use plans, to decide on the issue of building permits or to keep civil registers and register citizens. We can think of these as services that should be performed by the state, but for reasons of cost-effectiveness are “contracted” from the local authority to the municipality.
Interest-based self-government operates in areas that are specific to a particular profession, industry or interest group. They therefore represent the specific interests of their members before government bodies, the legislature and other institutions. For example, professional chambers (e.g. the Czech Medical Chamber) represent the interests of their members and the whole sector, e.g. doctors and the health sector itself.
They also usually set rules and standards for their members to regulate behaviour and standards in their field and provide them with educational opportunities and general support.
Public administration is a key pillar of the functioning of the state, ensuring the performance of public functions and the provision of services that are in the interest of society. The division between state and local government allows for effective management of state and local affairs.
State administration is the administration of state affairs, which is carried out at the national level. Its main role is to implement state policy and ensure compliance with the law in all areas of life in the country.
Local government is based on the principle of autonomy of municipalities, regions and other interest organisations to which certain powers and responsibilities are delegated. Self-government enables local bodies to manage local affairs.
Has the court ruled against you and do you want to fight it? We will assess your chances of success and take care of preparing an appeal, appeal or constitutional complaint depending on the proceedings and their stage.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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