Critical Mass and Discretion for Active Representation: Evidence from South Korea

• In Event: Representation – New Insights and Contexts

Abstract

The theory of representative bureaucracy has been a central concern in public administration, highlighting the importance of diversity in a bureaucracy. Although numerous studies have contributed to the understanding of the translation of passive into active representation, some interesting topics are still in the gray area and deserve to be further explored. First, the translation of passive into active representation is contingent upon several conditions, and critical mass and discretion are major factors for the translation. However, little research has been conducted to examine both the effects of critical mass and discretion. For example, if minority bureaucrats achieve the critical mass but do not have discretion, then can they serve as active representatives? Answering to this question is the main objective of this study.
Second, representative bureaucracy and its results should be further tested in different national settings. The Anglo-Saxon dominance in the literature is quite strong, so it is questionable whether the theory and its results can be applied and generalized to a non-Western environment. In addition, the size of the critical mass for active representation can vary according to different situational contexts. Thus, this study will not only explore the link between passive and active representation in a non-Western setting, but also estimate the critical mass in an ethnically homogeneous society (i.e., South Korea) for theoretical development and external validity of representative bureaucracy.

Authors

• Changgeun Yun, Yonsei University

• Han-vit Kim, Yonsei University