Legitimacy, shared ethos and public management

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to learn from the Jewish concept of the “public emissary” about how to contend with the contradiction that underlies the formal authority accorded in the Weberian approach when applied to public service.Design/methodology/approachThe first part of the article explains this contradiction and the second part offers a new way of thinking about the roles of people serving the public by means of the Jewish concept of public emissary – shaliah tzibbur – and exemplifies this in the role of the charity trustee, with reference to Jewish sources.FindingsThe article finds that the model of the “public emissary” constructs a deep emotional commitment to the role, public loyalty and strict ethics. At the same time, the model allows the individual engaging in public service greater autonomy in his work.Originality/valueThis article offers an alternative to the Weberian model of formal authority, which has proven to be less than ideal. In practical terms, it offers a new definition and profile for people serving the public, from which it follows that different areas should be emphasized in their training.