Bureaucracy, Democracy, and Race: The Limits of Symbolic Representation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Headley, Andrea M.; Wright, James E., II; Meier, Kenneth J.
• 署名单位: Georgetown University; State University System of Florida; Florida State University; American University; Cardiff University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Leiden University
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13358
• 发表日期: 2021
• 页码: 1033-1043
• 关键词: law-enforcement; GENDER; CITIZENS; support; white; black

摘要

A bureaucracy that is representative of the public it serves-passive representation-can result in both active representation and symbolic representation. Symbolic representation occurs when passive representation improves perceptions of legitimacy and enhances bureaucratic outcomes because the public is more cooperative and more likely to engage in coproduction. We present a new micro-theory of symbolic representation to show that symbolic benefits of passive representation depend on some level of positive treatment by bureaucrats. We then illustrate the utility of this theory with qualitative interviews from two cities with large populations of people of color and high proportions of police officers of color. The results suggest that increasing the demographic representativeness of the bureaucracy may be a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition for improving the relationship between the public and the bureaucracy. Practitioner Points Personal, familial, or vicarious encounters with the police influence the public's perceptions of police officers. The public recognizes the need for increased racial representation in policing; however, officers' attitudes and actions toward the public are more salient for shaping the public's perceptions of police. Without benign treatment by bureaucrats, symbolic representation can be stymied and even result in no benefits or potentially negative effects for the public.