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Representative Bureaucracy: An Empirical Analysis

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  • Meier, Kenneth John

Abstract

Past theories of representative bureaucracy have four weaknesses: they assume that traditional controls are ineffective without empirical evidence, rely on secondary variables, omit the effects of lifetime socialization, and do not consider the role of individual bureaus. Because of these weaknesses, a representative bureaucracy need not be a responsive bureaucracy. Although restricted by secondary analysis, this paper seeks to eliminate these failings and empirically demonstrate the unrepresentative nature of the United States federal bureaucracy. The representativeness of various grade classifications, special services, and bureaus is also measured; and the United States upper civil service is compared to that of five other nations. After an attempt to measure the values of bureaucrats, the future concerns of the theory of representative bureaucracy are outlined.

Suggested Citation

  • Meier, Kenneth John, 1975. "Representative Bureaucracy: An Empirical Analysis," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 69(2), pages 526-542, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:69:y:1975:i:02:p:526-542_24
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    Cited by:

    1. Zuzana Murdoch & Jarle Trondal & Benny Geys, 2016. "Representative bureaucracy and seconded national government officials in the European Commission," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), pages 335-349, December.
    2. Mansbridge, Jane, 2017. "Recursive Representation in the Representative System," Working Paper Series rwp17-045, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    3. William W. Boyer & Mun-Hee Kang, 2001. "Asia's Influence on Public Administration in the West," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 4(2), pages 3-20, September.
    4. Jussila Hammes, Johanna, 2013. "Civil servants’ education and the representativeness of the bureaucracy in environmental policy-making," Working papers in Transport Economics 2013:30, CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI).
    5. Matthew J. Nanes, 2020. "Policing in divided societies: Officer inclusion, citizen cooperation, and crime prevention," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 37(5), pages 580-604, September.
    6. Michal Parízek, 2017. "Control, soft information, and the politics of international organizations staffing," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 559-583, December.
    7. Sungchan Kim & Soyoung Park, 2017. "Diversity Management and Fairness in Public Organizations," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 179-193, June.
    8. Erin Melton, 2014. "The Consequences of Conflict: An Evaluation of Racial Disparity and Organizational Performance," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 14(3), pages 267-284, September.
    9. Bruno Frey & Werner Pommerehne, 1982. "How powerful are public bureaucrats as voters?," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 253-262, January.
    10. Dennis Gabriel Pepple, 2020. "Linking Ethnic Identification to Organisational Solidarity," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 113-128, March.
    11. Parizek, Michal & Stephen, Matthew D., 2021. "The Increasing Representativeness of International Organizations’ Secretariats: Evidence from the United Nations System, 1997–2015," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 65(1), pages 197-209.
    12. Friedman, Sam, 2022. "Climbing the velvet drainpipe: class background and career progression within the UK Civil Service," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117861, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    13. Suzanne M. Leland & Dustin C. Read & Michael Wittry, 2015. "Analyzing the Perceived Benefits of LEED-Certified and Energy Star–Certified Buildings in the Realm of Local Economic Development," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 29(4), pages 363-375, November.

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