Administrative Discretion in A Turbulent Time: An Introduction

Abstract

Administrative discretion is a fundamental, but unresolved, issue in American public administration. It is especially important in terms of changes in our administrative state and in society. Information technology and E-Government will shape the understanding and practice of discretion, but discretion is determined ultimately by the dominant political culture and discourse that is subject to social trends. The five articles in this symposium are reviewed in this introductory essay.