The concept of ‘street-level bureaucrats’ is pivotal to understanding the implementation of public policy. In essence, these are public service workers who interact directly with citizens, such as police officers, teachers and social workers. They have considerable autonomy in their roles, deciding which policies to implement and how.
This autonomy can lead to discrepancies between official policy and actual practice. Policymakers may have a clear vision but it is the street-level bureaucrats who determine the reality of policy implementation. For instance, a teacher may choose to ignore a new curriculum guideline if they believe it won’t benefit their students.
In some cases, street-level bureaucrats may even subvert official policy. This is particularly prevalent in high-stress environments where resources are scarce. Policymakers must therefore consider the potential for divergence when designing policies.
Identifying the factors that influence the behaviour of street-level bureaucrats could help to improve policy implementation. These factors include the nature of the job, the characteristics of the clients, and the organisational setting. Policymakers should also consider the impact of these factors on the motivation and job satisfaction of street-level bureaucrats.
In conclusion, the role of street-level bureaucrats is crucial to the successful implementation of public policy. Understanding their behaviour and motivations could lead to more effective policy design and execution.
Go to source article: https://www.rand.org/pubs/reprints/RP222.html