界分、流动与整合:“界面”在公共管理中的功能

Demarcation,Circulation and Integration:Three Functions of Interface in Public Administration

在公共管理研究中,“界面”概念陷入了一种缺乏反思、自说自话的境地,研究者们关于“界面”的缘起、内涵、特征、功能等尚未达成基本共识。本文在对相关概念进行分类比较的基础上提出,“界面”的核心特征包括:对事物异质性的标定、有别于原事物的特殊性、对原事物的反作用、影响的持久性等。“界面”具有三大功能:界分、流动与整合。以公众—政府交互为例,界分功能在公众—政府界面的线下和线上场景中均得到了典型且直观的体现,即使公众—政府界面的具体样态不断重构与变迁,但始终都以界面为“碑”,“界分”着前后的公众与官僚。在界面这一空间场域中,各类要素在主体间实现单向或双向的“流动”,尤其在公共管理领域,这些流动往往带有目的性,且受到各种规则的约束。多个主体并不只是在界面之处进行机械接触或简单相遇,而是在这里完成了某种“整合”,从而具有了单个主体在孤立状态下并不具备的属性。在界面的整合下,各主体间相互沟通、资源共享、统一标准、提升能力,逐渐走向合作状态。“界面”概念进驻公共管理领域,能够为公共管理研究中的公众—政府交互、部门间协同等议题提供独特的分析视角。

Despite the growing importance of interface,there remains in public administration studies a lack of consensus regarding its definition,origins,characteristics,and functions,leaving the definition of interface in a state of little consideration but much self-expression.This paper aims to clarify these aspects by comparing related concepts and proposing that the core attributes of an interface include such as the calibration of heterogeneity,distinctiveness from and reaction to original subjects,and sustained effects.Three primary functions of interface in public administration are identified:demarcation,circulation,and integration.In interactions between the public and the government,for example,the demarcation function is evident both offline and online.Even if the specific pattern of the public-government interface is under constant reconstruction,the interface acts as a boundary stone and consistently serves the purpose of distinguishing between the public in the front and bureaucrats in the back.Within the spatial field of the interface,various elements circulate in one or two directions among subjects.The circulation,especially in public administration,often has a purpose and is subject to various rules.Multiple subjects not only make mechanical contact or simple encounters at the interface,but also undertake some form of integration,through which different subjects communicate with each other,share resources,unify standards,enhance capabilities,and gradually move toward a cooperative state.Bringing the concept of interface into the studies of public administration,we can set up a unique analytical perspective for such issues as public-government interaction and inter-department collaboration.