Computers, Local Governments, and the Litany to EDP

Abstract

The demands and problems facing local governments in metropolitan areas have increased so dramatically since 1960 that the notion of an is commonplace. In most urban and suburban jurisdictions, the scope and cost of goods and services provided by local governments have risen enormously while there has been no corresponding increase in fiscal capacity. And the greater complexity and interdependence of problems has vastly increased the decision makers' cognitive costs in gathering information, searching for solutions, and implementing and monitoring policies. Under these crisis conditions, the longing for some deus ex machina is strong. To this point, the prime candidate for this role is the computer and the use of electronic data processing (EDP). City and county governments are currently spending more than $1 billion per year on EDP. With the broad capabilities of third generation hardware and with the development of sophisticated software, the computer's potential for aiding local government seems great. Moreover, the success or at least the promised success of the use of EDP for particular activities in particular city or county governments has been well publicized. A body of largely promotional information has been transmitted by the literature in the computer field and in the fields of local government professionals. As a result, the perceptions and expectations about the benefits of EDP are generally high among local government officials. This article will suggest that a to EDP has developed. The article is meant to stimulate critical thinking and research about the by presenting controversial observations which merit systematic analysis. Only recently has empirical * Given the serious problems facing urban/suburban local governments, the search for a deus ex machina solution has centered upon the extensive use of computers and electronic data processing (EDP). For a variety of information-processing tasks, the contributions of EDP have been substantial. However, there has developed among many local government actors a litany to EDP. This consists of certain canons about the beneficial impacts of computers on local government operations. This article on the basis of case study analysis in 12 cities and counties, identifies major components of the to EDP. These include the beliefs that EDP is staff-reducing and cost-reducing, that EDP provides better information for decision makers, that EDP increases the superordinate's ability to monitor subordinates, and so on. The evidence suggests that the is often misleading and occasionally incorrect. The article presents generalized findings meant to temper the uncritical acceptance of the to EDP.