Public Sector Management and the Democratic Ethos: A 5-Year Study of Key Relationships in Israel

Abstract

This article deals with the nexus between bureaucracy and democracy in a managementoriented public sector. The article develops the idea that public administration plays a major role in determining citizens' political attitudes and behaviors. A theoretical model is suggested to examine the relationship among citizens' perceptions of involvement and participation in administrative decision making, perceived managerial quality, perceived public sector performance, and democratic participatory behavior (i.e., trust in administrative agencies, political participation, and community involvement). A sample of 2,281 Israeli citizens provided information on the research variables over a 5-year period (2001-05). Findings reveal that citizens' perceptions of involvement and participation in administrative decision making are positively related with perceived managerial quality but are not related with perceived public sector performance. In addition, perceived managerial quality is positively related with trust in administrative agencies as well as with political participation and community involvement. Finally, public sector performance is a mediator in this relationship. These findings lead to a discussion about the linkage between the bureaucratic and the democratic ethos in modern managerial governance, theoretical and practical implications, as well as suggestions for future studies.

Bridging bureaucracy and democracy in Europe: A comparative study of perceived managerial excellence, satisfaction with public services, and trust in governance

“…This finding somewhat contradicts previous studies on the major role of internal politics in the bureaucratic process (e.g. Vigoda-Gadot and Mizrahi, 2008) and can be explained by the lower awareness that citizens usually have of internal dynamics in governmental agencies. Nonetheless, future studies should try to replicate our findings before firm conclusions are drawn.…”

Analysis of public responses to preparedness policies: the cases of H1N1 influenza vaccination and gas mask distribution

“…Nevertheless, this difference in itself is not a sufficient explanation, since perception of real risk does not deter Israelis from accepting routine, well-established vaccination programs such as childhood vaccination [20,21]. Another explanation could be a differential attitude towards policies related directly to health and those elated to military defense [22]. Our results suggest, however, that the credibility of the MOH did not differ from the credibility of the HFC.…”

Public administration and citizen satisfaction with democracy: cross-national evidence

“…The first and the third items reflect the 754 International Review of Administrative Sciences 79(4) morality and ethics of public administration, and the second its accountability. While scholars (Vigoda-Gadot and Mizrahi, 2007) have offered additional dimensions for the public assessment of administration -e.g. innovation -these specific items reflect important aspects of the way in which the public assesses the functioning of public administration.…”

“…Vigoda-Gadot's theory that strong bureaucracy and strong democracy are complementary is supported by an analysis of the link between citizen evaluation of public Ariely 751 administration and democratic values and behaviour. Thus, for instance, looking at data from Israel over a five-year period Vigoda-Gadot and Mizrahi (2007) have shown that citizen perception of managerial quality and public sector performance is related to political and civic participation (see also Vigoda, 2002;Vigoda-Gadot, 2009). Similar findings emerge from a study of public trust in government in Japan and South Korea (Kim, 2010).…”