KC 8 Discretion (Tummers & Beckers, 2014)
7 important questions on KC 8 Discretion (Tummers & Beckers, 2014)
What two types of discretion are there?
Used discretion: From this perspective scholars are interested in how the use of discretion varies between street-level bureaucrats in identical cases
What is the top-down perspective on discretion
- Rooted in Webers view on the ideal type of bureaucracy: Ideally, bureaucrats should be neutral
- So discretion is unwanted. It allows bureaucrats to pursue their private goals
- negative effects on the effectiveness of policy programs and on the equal treatment of citizens
What is the criticism on the top-down perspective
- Humans are inherent to organizations
- Humans are not fully rational, but bounded rational (Herbert Simon)
- So they use shortcuts to come to a satisfactory decision. Discretion is inevitable.
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What is the bottom-up perspective on discretion? (Lipskey)
- Discretion is inevitable: Specific situations, but generic rules
- Discretion is wanted
- good for policy programs and their effectiveness & good for the fair treatment of citizens. Discretion may increase client meaningfulness.
Why is discretion important for citizens? What are the implications for citizens from the two types of perspectives when taken into account that people are bounded rational?
- Bureaucrats are not neutral, which harms the effectiveness
- citizens are not treated equally
- Bureaucrats can take into account the specific situations of citizens. And tailor policies --> benefits effectiveness
- Citizens are treated fair by circumstances
What is the tension between the top-down and bottom-up perspectives?
Bottom-up: It is good that circumstances are taken into account when implementing policies.
Why is discretion important for street-level bureaucrats? What are the implications of discretion for street-level bureaucrats?
- Discretion can increase client meaningfulness
- More discretion makes bureaucrats more willing to implement policies --> Freedom makes them more willing to implement the policies as written
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
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