Representative bureaucracy, international organizations and public service bargains. (10th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christensen, Johan
• Other Names: Benish Avishai guestEditor.; Mattei Paolo guestEditor.; Lenschow Andrea guestEditor.; Burns Charlotte guestEditor.; Zito Anthony guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Public administration. Volume 98:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 423
• Publication Date: 2019-11-10
• Subjects: Public administration -- Periodicals; Civil service -- Periodicals; 350
• DOI: 10.1111/padm.12625
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-3298

Abstract

Abstract: Academic interest in the administrative aspects of international organizations is on the rise. Yet, an issue that has received little attention is bureaucratic representation—the extent to which international bureaucracies are representative of the polity that they serve. The article theorizes the rationales for and forms of representative bureaucracy in international organizations by combining insights from the representative bureaucracy literature with the 'public service bargains' framework. It argues that bureaucratic representation is highly relevant in international organizations, given the diverse polity these organizations serve and their precarious legitimacy. It distinguishes three types of representational 'bargains' between international organizations and those they serve, centred on power, equal opportunities and diversity, and discusses under which conditions each type of bargain is likely to be struck. The argument contributes to discussions about representative bureaucracy in international organizations and to broader theoretical debates about international public administration.