Political Influence and Policy Variation: Understanding the Politics of Field Administration

In: Administration & society, Band 35, Heft 3, S. 279-314

Abstract

Spatial studies of political behavior have examined the structure of influential interests, yet there is little comprehensive, coherent, theory-based research of such influences on policy administration at the local and regional levels. Borrowing from the work of many scholars and integrating findings from across various subfields, this study identifies indicators for explaining the politics of area and administration. In particular; the author argues that the nature and degree of field office responsiveness depends on its place within the institutional structure, the congruence between organizational norms and societal expectations, areal effects arising from political context, and the structure of organized interests.