A New Approach for Assessing the Effects of Representative Bureaucracy

• In Event: Representative Bureaucracy

Abstract

This paper proposes a new way to assess the impact of representation on passively represented groups within the theory of representative bureaucracy. Traditional approaches to representative bureaucracy simply measure the effect of representation as the correlation between the presence of the representatives within the bureaucracy and outcomes for the target group (e.g. % black teachers and black student performance). However, this approach may over- or under-estimate the actual effect of representation. This is because it assumes that the relationship between bureaucratic representation and outcomes/performance for non-represented groups is neutral. However, if bureaucrats from represented groups have positive (or negative) effects on outcomes/performance for non-representative groups, then the actual effect of representation may be over/under stated. This paper uses a multi-source data set to develop and test for the effects of representation that is adjusted for the effects representation has on non-represented groups.

Author

• Daniel P. Hawes, Kent State University