Representative Bureaucracy

The central tenet of the theory of representative bureaucracy is that passive representation, or the extent to which a bureaucracy reflects or mirrors the demographic characteristics of the population, leads to active representation, or the pursuit of policies reflecting the interests and desires of represented groups. The theory is premised on the belief that such attributes or characteristics lead to certain early socialization experiences that in turn give rise to attitudes, values, and beliefs that ultimately [Page 2286]help shape the behavior and decisions of individual bureaucrats. The theory of representative bureaucracy is based on the idea that the demographic composition of bureaucracy should reflect the demographic composition of society. Supporters believe that a bureaucracy that reflects the diversity of the general population implies a symbolic commitment to equal access to power and that shared personal characteristics of distinctive group members will offer a shared voice in the policy process. When members of identifiable groups, such as a specific racial or ethnic group, become public officials, they become legitimate actors in the political process with the ability to shape public policy and implementation. A representative bureaucracy provides a means of fostering equity or at least the perception of equity in the policy process. If the bureaucracy reflects the demographic origins of society, the theory implies that government will be more responsive to the public interest by better ensuring that all politically significant interests and values are represented in the formulation and implementation of public policies and programs. This entry continues with a discussion of the existing three main research streams on such a theory (passive representation, active representation, and linkage between passive and active representation) and concludes with remarks on possible future developments.