Participation, Due Process, and Responsive Administration: Handler's "The Conditions of Discretion"

A review article on a book by Joel F. Handler, The Conditions of Discretion: Autonomy, Community, Bureaucracy (New York: Russell Osage Foundation, 1986 [see listing in IRPS No. 52], in which he describes how to organize an effective participatory administration by citizens in discretionary decision making, using the Madison, Wisc, system for special education services as an exemplary case. Handler argues that the adoption of citizen participation in certain administrative contexts will result in better programs & actions, & realization of commitments to due process. However, his defense of participatory administration is limited, with restrictive conditions & a narrow range of applicable contexts. The Madison case is reexamined to suggest other explanations for its success. Requirements for developing democratic participation ("participation which, by respecting & empowering citizen volunteers, enhances the democratic character of citizens & their communities") are proposed instead. This type of participation will lead to just exercise of discretion & allow citizens to develop their capacities to exercise autonomy & choose communities. M. Malas