Social Equity and the Responsible Administrator: The Challenge of Equity in Public Policy Initiatives

• Published date: 01 July 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00953997241249174
• Author: Danielle N. Gadson,Seri Park
• Date: 01 July 2024

https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997241249174

Administration & Society

2024, Vol. 56(6) 786 –800

© The Author(s) 2024

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DOI: 10.1177/00953997241249174

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Perspectives

Social Equity and

the Responsible

Administrator: The

Challenge of Equity in

Public Policy Initiatives

Danielle N. Gadson1 and Seri Park1

Abstract

Social equity is a normative value in the field of public administration;

however, policy guidance and associated funding rules are often rooted in

values of equality. This perspective explores the conditions under which a

public administrator’s professional responsibility to social equity goes beyond

a program’s requirements for equality-based outcomes. This mismatch

often results in extraneous efforts on the part of the administrator to

implement creative solutions above and beyond what is funded and required

by bureaucratic guidance. Realigning program rules and providing sufficient

funding with an eye for equity will provide responsible public administrators

with sufficient resources for success.

Keywords

social equity, public health, transportation equity, procedural fairness

Concern for social equity is an integral consideration in public policy devel-

opment and leadership. Government bureaucracies set the programmatic

goals for initiatives set forth by legislative actions. Public administrators are

1Villanova University, PA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Danielle N. Gadson, Department of Public Administration, Villanova University—Garey Hall

Suite G43, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085, USA.

Email: danielle.gadson@villanova.edu

1249174AAS0010.1177/00953997241249174Administration & SocietyGadson and Park

research-article2024