Social class and public administration : a closed question opens
By: OLDFIELD, Kenneth
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ArticlePublisher: Thousand Oaks : SAGE, September 2003Administration & Society 35, 4, p. 438-461Abstract: The American Society for Public Administration´s (ASPA) Code of Ethics commits it to resentativeness, fairness, equality, and affirmative action. Notwithstanding these goals, mainstream public administration teachings, texts, and journals mostly ignore the role of social class in understanding the how and why of bureaucratic operations. This is especially puzzling given all the studies showing that socioeconomic status affects most life outcomes and, in turn, government´s response to the resulting discrepancies. This study reviews the field´s neglect of class matters and shows how this oversight limits the range of possible policy options available for consideration. The discussion closes by (a) suggesting ways to address this omission and (b) explaining how the recommended reforms are consistent with ASPA´s Code Ethic
The American Society for Public Administration´s (ASPA) Code of Ethics commits it to resentativeness, fairness, equality, and affirmative action. Notwithstanding these goals, mainstream public administration teachings, texts, and journals mostly ignore the role of social class in understanding the how and why of bureaucratic operations. This is especially puzzling given all the studies showing that socioeconomic status affects most life outcomes and, in turn, government´s response to the resulting discrepancies. This study reviews the field´s neglect of class matters and shows how this oversight limits the range of possible policy options available for consideration. The discussion closes by (a) suggesting ways to address this omission and (b) explaining how the recommended reforms are consistent with ASPA´s Code Ethic
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