Office Politics in a State Legislature

Abstract

Space use in the restored California Capitol is explored through an analysis of newspaper reports and interviews with occupants regarding methods of space assignment, territoriality, personalization, the effects of centrality and propinquity, and the symbolism of office decor. Incidents of competition for space tended to be infrequent and highly ritualized. The relative lack of conflict is due to a generally adequate space situation in a newly renovated and attractive building, a traditional system of space allocation accepted as legitimate, considerable autonomy for the occupants to control and personalize assigned spaces, and the linkage of office quality to rank within a system allowing upward mobility.