The public administration system is a specific type of government activity. It has its own characteristics, which make it possible to distinguish it from other manifestations of power (for example, judicial, executive or legislative), as well as from other management activities of various public associations and other formations (commercial structures, labor collectives and others). The structure of government is considered a kind of social regulation. With her activities, traditionally associate the formation of a special legal branch - administrative law.
The term "public administration system" is widely used by many authors of foreign and domestic scientific literature. In addition, this definition is present in the legislation of different countries. In Russia, this term was used for more than seventy years; there were constitutional grounds for isolating this type of government activity. In the Constitution of the Russian Federation in 1993, this definition was replaced by the combination "executive power". The country's Basic Law proclaimed the principle that power is divided into three branches. Thus, the judicial, legislative and executive branches are distinguished.
In this regard, the relationship between public administration and the executive branch is of particular interest to many authors.
Each activity includes a decision, execution (implementation) and control over execution. The system of government in Russia until the eighties was divided into government and judicial bodies. Moreover, each branch to one degree or another performed government tasks. So, the goals of public administration, which were fulfilled by government bodies, consisted in solving especially important issues relating to the political and public life of the country. This branch of government enacted laws and enforced them. The judicial authorities performed law enforcement functions.
There are certain signs that characterize the role and place that the public administration system takes within the separation of powers. So, it is determined that this activity has an executive-administrative character. The main focus is the implementation of by-laws and laws in life. This goal is achieved through the necessary legal authority (management).
It should be noted that public administration is considered the prerogative of special entities. It is carried out in the course of direct and daily management of socio-cultural, economic, as well as administrative and political construction. The directness is due to the fact that it is in the organizational subordination (maintenance) of government bodies that the main number of property objects is included. Thus, the quality of the government as the owner of fixed assets was expressed.
At the same time, public administration is considered an activity of the by-law. It is carried out in pursuance of and on the basis of law, while being secondary to legislative activity.
To these signs, some specific characteristics need to be added. So, for example, among them are the hierarchical (subordinate, vertical) state administration systems, the right to exercise power of legal authority in an out-of-court (administrative) order. In addition, there is a possibility provided for by the current law to carry out administrative law-making.