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Politics and Public Administration

A Political Profile of Local Bureaucrats in Alabama

University of Hawai'i at Hilo

Although studies have investigated the political attitudes and voting behavior of federal bureaucrats, little research has focused on political attitudes and behavior of local bureaucrats. Furthermore, although the literature discusses the concepts of bureaucratic neutrality and bureaucratic independence, we have yet to construct, from empirical evidence, an adequate profile or model of the nature and extent of political behavior and activism of bureaucrats. This study of municipal administrators in Alabama identifies the political party affiliation, attitudes, ideology, and activism of bureaucrats. Thefindings question the notion that bureaucrats are Democratic Party loyalists and liberal policy activists who, as public employees, feel restricted politically and pursue their own ideological preferences when implementing public programs irrespective to mandates from elected officials.

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