George Gant, also known as the “father of development administration,” was a prominent American political scientist and public administrator. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of development administration, which is the study of the organization and management of public programs and projects designed to promote economic and social development.

Gant’s major work in the field of development administration include:

• His book “Development Administration: Concepts and Practices” (1962), which is considered a seminal work on the subject and is still widely read and referenced today.
• His research and writings on the role of the state in development, which emphasized the importance of effective planning and coordination in order to achieve sustainable development.
• His work on the role of bureaucracy in development, which highlighted the importance of a professional and efficient public service in promoting development.

Gant’s contributions to the field of development administration were influential in shaping the way in which governments and international organizations approach development. His ideas and research have been used to inform the design and implementation of development programs around the world, particularly in developing countries.

George Gant was a professor of public administration at the University of Southern California. He was also a respected consultant and advisor to many international organizations and governments around the world. He passed away in 2005.

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George Gant: Father of Development Administration

George Gant was born in 1919 in East St. Louis, Illinois, United States. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in 1940 and his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1941.

Gant began his career as a civil servant, working for the United States federal government in various positions, including as a budget analyst for the War Production Board during World War II.

After the war, Gant returned to academia, earning his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago in 1950. He then joined the faculty at the University of Southern California, where he spent the majority of his career.

During his tenure at USC, Gant made significant contributions to the field of development administration. He is considered the father of development administration, due to his research and writings on the subject, specifically his book “Development Administration: Concepts and Practices” (1962).

Gant was also an active consultant and advisor to many international organizations and governments around the world. He advised the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development and many other organizations on development issues.

George Gant passed away in 2005, but his legacy continues to live on through his contributions to the field of development administration. His ideas and research have been used to inform the design and implementation of development programs around the world, particularly in developing countries.

George Gant: Major Work

George Gant, considered as the father of development administration, made significant contributions to the field of development administration through his research and writings. Some of his major works include:

1. Development Administration: Concepts and Practices (1962): This book is considered as his most important work and a seminal text in the field of development administration. In this book, Gant presented a comprehensive and systematic framework for understanding the complex relationship between development and administration.
2. “Development Administration in the Third World” (1969): Gant argued that the Third World countries need a different approach to development administration as compared to developed countries. He suggested that the Third World countries should focus on building their own administrative capacity, rather than copying the models of the developed countries.
3. “The Role of Government in Economic Development” (1953): Gant discussed the role of government in promoting economic development and the importance of public administration in achieving this goal. He also highlighted the need for effective and efficient public administration for achieving sustainable development.
4. “Development Administration: Some Theoretical Considerations” (1964): Gant presented a theoretical framework for understanding development administration in this paper. He argued that development administration is a multi-disciplinary field that encompasses economics, political science, sociology and other disciplines.
5. “Development Administration: The Current Scene” (1978): Gant provided an overview of the current state of development administration and the challenges faced by developing countries in this paper. He also suggested some possible solutions to overcome these challenges.

These works have been widely influential in shaping the field of development administration, and continue to be widely read and studied by scholars and practitioners of development.

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