Topics for Discussion

1.We all like to believe that we think and act rationally and resent it if someone suggests we should be doing otherwise.But what exactly does“rational”mean?In everyday discourse，we use the term fairly loosely and say that someone is rational if he or she acts reasonably，logically，and normally.We label as irrational or nonrational any behavior that we find strange or abnormal，which，depending on one's perspective.For the student of public administration，rationality has a more precise meaning.We say that a decision is rational if there is a systematic relationship between an end being pursued and the means used to get there.More specifically，a rational decision is one that entails selecting the best alternative to reach a particular goal.How do we select the best alternative?Discuss the steps of rational decisionmaking in public administration.(https://www.daowen.com)

2.According to David H.Rosenbloom，et al.，“interactive TV”enables the viewers to send electronic signals instantaneously to the broadcaster.These signals can indicate agreement or disagreement with statements or propositions made on the TV program.Elaborate interactive systems would also enable the viewers to indicate the general level of intensity of their preferences.This is just like micro blog or“Weibo(微博)”in China，which is also an instant personal communicating tool on the Internet.So，some people believe that“Weibo”is a way of improving government decisionmaking by allowing the public to register its preferences on matters of public policy.Do you think“Weibo”is an effective way to improve Chinese public administrative decisionmaking?Why or why not?