Elevating subjective individual experience in public policy and public administration: Reflections on red tape, administrative burden, and sludge

In this essay, I take stock of the red tape research program (and research programs on administrative burden and sludge) to assess whether subjective individual experience has been given its rightful due in public policy and public administration. My primary purpose is to assess how concepts facilitate or hinder our understanding of the subjective individual experience. To serve this purpose, I present a conceptual analysis strategy and elaborate on the value of interrogating the modularity assumption (fit between conceptualization and experience). I conclude by advocating for consilience across concepts and research programs to better capture the subjective individual experience.