This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Box, R. C. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Administrator as Trustee of the Public Interest

Normative Ideals and Daily Practice

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Recent articles in Administration & Society have probed the question of administrative discretion, with most advocating an expanded sphere of responsibility for the administrator. This article argues that calls for greater discretion are useful from a normative viewpoint, but that administrative practice is constrained by the relationship between the administrator and the governing body. A typology of discretion is offered which distinguishes between normative theory and descriptive theory, or theory-in-use. An examination is made of the literature and practice of local administration as a locus for evaluating how administrators determine their sphere of discretion in daily practice.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Chao Guo and J. A. Musso Representation in Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations: A Conceptual Framework Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, June 1, 2007; 36(2): 308 - 326. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. A. Brewer and R. A. Maranto Comparing the Roles of Political Appointees and Career Executives in the U.S. Federal Executive Branch The American Review of Public Administration, March 1, 2000; 30(1): 69 - 86. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. C. Selden, G. A. Brewer, and J. L. Brudney Reconciling Competing Values in Public Administration: Understanding the Administrative Role Concept Administration Society, May 1, 1999; 31(2): 171 - 204. [Abstract] [PDF]