Traditionnal public administration or the Old public Adminiatration was larsgely concerned with either the direct delivery of services or the regulation of individual and corporate behavior. Those on the ''receiving'' end were generally referred to as ''clients.'' The word ''client,'' of course,meavs ''a party for which professional services are rendered'' (American Heritage Dictionary2000). What is interesting is that the word ''client'' is derived from the Latin cliens, Which means ''deoendent'' or ''follwer.'' In many cases, public agencies perating under the Old public Adminiatration dealt with their clients in just such a manner. Clients were seen as in need of help and those in government made honest efforts to provide the help that was needed through the administration of public programs. Inevitably those in the agency came to be seen as being ''in control'' of those dependent on the agency. For many clients, The stereotype of the thoughtless,
uncaring bureaucrat is surely overdone but perhaps contains a modicum of truth.