Abstract：Since being introduced and arousing the first turn of dispute, study of “great issues” continues to maintain general concern in discussions of basic theory and has evolved into a prominent special subject in the world of public administration after being continuously extended into subbranches and departments of administration. In the new century, study of “great issues” in the field of public administration presents three major trends: First, it attempts to respond to some general great issues concerning the whole of public administration system based on a recognition of the leading places of basic theory in disciplinary construction; secondly, since it understands effects of the starting point and viewpoint of observation on results of study, it tries to improve efficiency of study of great issues in public administration by improving the means of study; finally, being aware of the interdependent relationship between generality and specialty, it tends to extend the domain of concern to subbranches and applied fields of public administration. With the initial presentation of its theoretical and practical value, study of “great issues” is of enlightening significance to empiricismstricken and utilitarianismstricken Chinese science of public administration.

public administration; study of “great issues”; nonprofiting administration; executive ethics