An analysis of an article by J.E.Sowa and S.C. Selden, called "AdministrativeDiscretion and ActiveRepresentation: An Expansion of the Theory of Representative Bureaucracy."
Abstract This paper examines this article whose purpose is to look at the theory of representative bureaucracy in a slightly different way. Most studies dealing with representative bureaucracy have focused on activerepresentation, but have not looked into the administrativediscretion that is often tied to it. It explains how this study seeks not only to discuss the theory of representative bureaucracy, but then move on to administrativediscretion and how it is often tied into the activerepresentation of what one does. The main research question is whether administrativediscretion and activerepresentation are actually tied together and whether it affects how individuals who are making decisions based on minority status tend to make decisions in favor of those who are of the same race or ethnic background as they are.
From the Paper "The research model that is used is an empirical analysis and is conducted based on a housing loans program and whether individuals who are of minority descent will have a better chance of getting a home loan if the individual who is helping them with the loan is also of their same background. There are several variables in this particular study, with the first one being administrative discretion (Sowa & Selden, 2003). The variables that were chosen were utilized because they were believed that they would affect the behavior of various administrators and this in turn would determine whether decisions that had to do with minority interest would be made by these individuals. The administrative discretion is used in this particular study to see what impact it has on the various policy outcomes that work in favor of minority interest (Sowa & Selden, 2003)."
Abstract This paper presents a professional manual for employees of a specific administrative agency. It briefly looks at administrative law and the procedures the department should avoid to ensure that no legal problems arise. Specifically, the paper outlines the concepts of discretion, credibility (and how applicant credibility is to be determined), standards with regards to bias (that is to say, what will henceforth be expected of subordinate decision-makers) and the extent of duty that will now be expected from all employees.
From the Paper "Before leaving the issue of credibility, I wish also to point out the manner in which concerns about an applicant's credibility are to be spelled out. Henceforth, if there is a suspicion of deceit, precise instances of deception and contradiction must be noted in the final judgment. As well, particulars and context must be provided whenever a claimant cannot answer a question; in other words, if the client was unable to provide certain information because of extenuating circumstances, that needs to be highlighted. Finally, all decisions rendered by an adjudicator must be carefully examined by that adjudicator to ensure that logical fallacies, inconsistencies and contradictions are not present in the text of the decision - and that there is a complete apprehension of all the facts of the case by the adjudicator. For a good example of precisely the sort of thorough, post-mortem examination of their decisions that I want my adjudicators to undertake (especially with regards to decisions about the credibility of an applicant), please see the court decision in Hilo v. Canada (1991)."
Abstract This paper is a discussion of the use of discretion in police work. It Includes its "mythical" aspects, considers its sources, and suggests how it might be controlled. The paper creates a list of ten police actions during which an officer might use discretion and why. It determines whether the use in each action is reasonable or an abuse of power.
From the Paper "Peak has pointed to the fact that the law is simply unable to cover every situation a police officer faces and that given this fact there are numerous times when police must make choices about the ..."
A discussion regarding to what extent the functioning of political parties can explain the crisis of representation of the 'people' in modern democracies.
Abstract This paper takes an in-depth look at political parties and issues that surround representation of the people in modern democracies. According to the paper, political parties, in their organization and their functioning, display numerous problems in terms of representation. The paper focuses particularly on two of these problems, the modes of government and the modes of funding. The paper also analyzes the aftermaths of the logic of electoral competition for the representation of the membership and the electorate.
From the Paper "Political representation is quite a hard concept to grasp. It was rejected by the French during the Revolution as an impediment to the self-government of the people. Nonetheless, I will try to show that political representation is necessary for ensuring freedom in our modern democracies.
But first let us turn back to our French Revolution and the establishment of what could be considered as a quasi-totalitarian regime. In France, traditional feudal aristocratic society was undermined by an absolutist and centralist state. When the French Revolution broke out, the remaining feudal instances were destroyed even further (loi Le Chapelier), so that in fact only the individuals and the state remained without the traditional feudal corporations to mediate between them. The question then is how a society can be held together when it has been dismembered and robbed of the intermediary associations that had given it its concrete form and reality. Most revolutionaries followed republicans like Rousseau or Sieyes. The only way for them to bring about a post-feudal democratic order was by converting particular interests to the common good. Individuals were now called upon to set aside their particular preferences and to identify fully with the common will of the people in order to establish real popular sovereignty and equality. The Jacobin revolutionaries thus assumed that a true democracy could only be established if abstract democratic principles like formal equality, popular sovereignty or the unitary will of the people were indeed completely "turned into reality" (i.e. "actualized" or "materialized"), rather than merely respected (Weymans: 263-282). This is characteristic of totalitarian regimes. More so, to Claude Lefort totalitarianism represents a society's attempt to fully "materialize" or "actualize" democratic principles by making the people really one, equal, free or sovereign. That is also what distinguishes them from democratic regimes. While the totalitarian state tries to realize the principles (by embodying them), a democratic state prevents a society from realizing these (through representation), thus remaining distinct from and dependent on society. This distinction or alienation of the state from society is indeed necessary."
Abstract This essay outlines the way in which popular representations of sexuality (i.e., masculinity) must reproduce a specific kind of 'normal' in order to appeal to the masses. It establishes the definitions and 'appearance' of the differing types of masculinity, highlighting the nature of these as social constructs, but also the continual need and perpetuation of such constructs as natural or 'fact'. The essay highlights, through the use of two modern representations, the movie, "The Siege", and the series, "Ally McBeal", the way in which differing masculinities are unconsciously propagated in modern culture. NOTE: Hilarious use of Ally McBeal material, dialogue included in appendix.
From the Paper "The mass media is produced and consumed in a commercial context. To reap the most financial gain it is therefore imperative that the material to be consumed is comprehensible for the intended audience. The more comprehensible and recognisable the material, the higher chances of consumption and subsequently, profit. This often means that representations of masculinity will continually reproduce the established conventions of masculine behaviour and norms (Bignell 1997:196). As a result, hegemonic masculinity, which can be defined as the dominant masculinity performed at any given time, is continually reinforced as dominant and therefore reasserted as normative in society (Cheng 1999:297-301). Subsequently, marginalised masculinities, which are perceived as lacking in relation to the supremacy of hegemonic masculinity, are continually presented as subordinate and therefore remain oppressed (Buchbinder 1994: 33). In the following examination of masculine representations, two dramatisations have been analysed for the extent to which their characters reproduce or challenge conventional masculine behaviour and norms."
Abstract This paper analyzes Plato's conception of what representation is and what its role in society is. The paper is a review of the work of Plato, "Republic", in which he works to justify the role of the philosopher-king as the ruler of an ideal state. The paper concludes that representational poetry has no place in the Republic and discusses its negative aspects.
From the Paper "The elaborate argument of Plato's Republic works to justify the role of Philosopher-King as ruler in an ideal state. The citizens of this state have "the calibre not to be distracted by prestige, wealth, political power, or even poetry from applying [themselves] to morality," and they must strive towards knowledge of the Ideal and away from the illusions of representation (80). Citizens must embody self-discipline, "obedience to those in authority - and authority over the pleasures of drink, sex, and food" (59). The Guardians of the Republic - those puts in charge of managing the rest of society - have loftier goals: they must be "as godlike themselves as is humanly possible" (56). Plato seeks to develop his Republic through an authoritarian control on what the citizens may be exposed to, and one of society's traditional arts - representational poetry as found in the epics and tragedies of Homer - finds itself threatened."
Abstract This essay analyzes Canadian newspaper headlines and articles as a way to examine the role of the media in constructing the content of public perceptions of violent crime. This essay argues that the media produce public fear of racial, ethnic, and youth-identified males through an over-representation of isolated incidents. Sensationalization of violent crime has the effect of narrating violence into stories, ignoring the value of news information. As such, the media invents public personae of gang-related violence, immigrant offenders, and violent youth, all of which are based on bias, not fact.
Abstract This paper outlines that one of the major disputes within educational institutions is the distribution of power and administrative responsibility: One side believes the administration and structuring of education needs to be left with "professional" administrators, while the other side believes that teachers deserve a more central role. The author points out that teachers are affected by the decisions of administrators to a very high degree and need to have some control and influence over their fate. The paper concludes that the contention that teachers will advance their interests alone if given more administrative influence is absurd.
From the Paper "Obviously, it is the unanimous opinion of those within our educational institutions is that teachers? opinions are not granted the same attention as others of power, so the next step in analyzing this phenomenon is asking ourselves"why" Paul Moreno, a reporter for the Massachusetts News, believes the problem lies within the teacher's union. He writes of teacher's unions throughout the nation using coercive power for control. Unions maintain strong positions of power within state legislatures and parental groups within school systems."
Tags: unions, administrators, role, control, power
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of sacred representation, particularly those that are Christian in nature, in modern film using the movies. The paper uses the films, "Seven," "The Green Mile" and "Dogma" as examples. The paper also includes an annotated bibliography.
From the Paper "Chris Arthur stated that there are some important questions as yet unanswered as to where film intersects or should intersect with religion in contemporary society Arthur believes that popular film can be an important ..."
Tags: Film, sacred representation, Seven, The Green Mile, Dogma
Abstract The paper states that public administration is crucial to the achievement of developmental aims and that it is substantially inextricable from its wider governance and societal structures and social milieus. The paper relates that an important unit of analysis is the nature of institutions and the "inherently" perceived phenomenon of power dynamics. The concept of power is important in understanding the intra- and inter-organizational political dynamics and reality of public institutions. The paper further states that it is crucial to understand the nature and role of public administration in society in light of globalization and changing role of the state. Lastly, the paper looks at the evolving role of public administration as an instrument of the state in "serving" citizens.
Outline:
Power and Institutions
Intergovernmental Relations: Bargaining and Negotiating
Public Administration in Democratic Governance
UNDP Governance Characteristics
Role of Government
Development Goals (MDGs)
From the Paper "Thus, there is an imminent need to provide for a more balanced and holistic perspective of power in institutions so as to mitigate its predatory consequences and ensure positive implications on current normative trend espousing respect for human rights and rights of minority. The benign conceptualization of power dynamics in political institution, in a way, has a terrible effect on policies and public administration as it would seem espousing for institutionalized discrimination and oppression while benefiting others (usually those holding power or associated with them)."
A study of the degree to which the media and the U.S. administration work together to manufacture consent with special emphasis on The New York Times' complicity.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 14 sources, 2002, $ 62.95
Abstract Successful management of the media is a key element of politics today. This paper assesses the manner, and extent to which, the US administration and the media cooperate to manufacture consent. It highlights the extent to which The New York Times merely restates the administration's position and relies principally on administration sources. The influence outside of the US, in Canada, is also briefly examined.
Abstract This paper examines the role of the database administrator, why they are necessary in organizations and how a database administrator differs from a knowledge manager. The paper examines the various jobs and functions of database management in large organizations.
From the Paper "Few companies today are able to exist without an information technology department. Whether a large multinational conglomerate or a small retail establishment nearly all companies rely on computers to some degree. Some companies are highly dependent on computer systems while others use them only for accounting and related tasks. Every organization even the smallest company has at least one person whose job entails making sure that the computer system is up and running or at least knowing who to call when the computer system goes ..."
Abstract This paper critically analyzes the administration policies and ideas set forth in an essay by President Woodrow Wilson entitled "The Study of Administration". The paper describes Wilson's thoughts about using ministrant (function of the government) and constituent ideas to represent political and apolitical branches respectively and relates that constituent functions were given very important tasks, such as the protection of liberty, life, and property, while ministrant functions were necessary for advancing societal interests. The paper concludes that Woodrow Wilson attempted to outline a coherent and somewhat revolutionary idea about public administration and politics and how each should be separate, yet work together.
From the Paper "Wilson was determined to make reforms and labeled areas that were functions of the government "ministrant" and those that were not, or were apolitical, he labeled "constituent" (Clements 320). These constituent functions were given very important tasks, such as the protection of liberty, life, and property, while ministrant functions were necessary for advancing the societal interests (320). Although these labels appear to be incorrectly given as ministrant areas were given what really appeared to be political functions such as labor regulation, communications, transportation maintenance, education, and conservation efforts."
Abstract Compares the works of Woodrow Wilson, Frederick Taylor, and Graham Allison and their influence on the study of administration and the roles of public administrators.
From the Paper "Many voices have had profound influences on the development of public administration. The writings of Woodrow Wilson and Frederick Taylor were just two voices that identified many of the critical themes that would be permanent parts of this field of study. In Wilson's (1887) "Study of Administration," he expressed his idea of improving government efficiency by developing a management system free from political intervention. In "Scientific Management," Taylor (1912) explained scientific management principles"duties assumed by those in management. Both of their works can be compared to that of Graham Allison's (1979) "Public and Private Management: Are They Fundamentally Alike"" In it, he examined the characteristics of public managers and the characteristics of their environments. These three writings are similar in content; however, there are some portions where the ideas of the authors contrast."
Abstract This paper proposes to study the role that public administration has in encouraging changes in society while, at the same time, safeguarding the structure and continuity of society. The paper proposes to look at which sectors of society should provide the impetus for change and which should preserve the status quo. Finally, the study intends to look how the need for change in society can be balanced against the need for stability and the specific ways in which public administration professionals can help society to maintain this balance.
From the Paper "But just as lack of change can be terribly damaging if not lethal to a society, too much change can also be dangerous. Societies that prosper are those that allow for change within an established structure ? and both the change and the structure are important. (This does assume, of course, that the structure is fundamentally sound to begin with.)"
