Are Some Citizens More Equal than Others? Evidence from a Field Experiment. (25th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grohs, Stephan; Adam, Christian; Knill, Christoph
• Is Part Of: Public administration review. Volume 76:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2015-08-25
• Subjects: United States -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 350
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.12439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3352

Abstract

Abstract: The equal treatment of all citizens is one of the fundamental principles of good administrative practice. Nevertheless, there are growing numbers of media and scientific reports on unequal treatment by public administrations. This article examines the unequal treatment of citizens by gender and ethnic origin by means of a survey‐based field experiment in German local government. With the help of two vignettes and randomized assignment of names, responses to fake citizen requests by local governments are analyzed for speed, quality, and service orientation. The results show very limited discrimination effects. While there is no evidence for general ethnic discrimination, a more differentiated analysis indicates patterns of ethnic discrimination conditioned by gender. Abstract : Grohs, Adam, and Knill Podcast Episode