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How Naked Is the Public Square? Religion, Public Service, and Implications for Public Administration
Author(s) -
Houston David J.,
Freeman Patricia K.,
Feldman David L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
public administration review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.721
H-Index - 139
eISSN - 1540-6210
pISSN - 0033-3352
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2008.00880.x
Subject(s) - religiosity , professionalization , legitimacy , public service , administration (probate law) , political science , public administration , sociology , politics , law
The study of public administration has a decidedly secular character, a result of an intentional effort to seek legitimacy through professionalization that can be traced back to the Progressive Era. But is this secular orientation wholly descriptive of the practice of public administration? To address this question, the authors examine the religiosity of public servants (governmental and nongovernmental) and non–public servants, as well as the secular attitudes held by members of each group. The study finds that individuals in governmental public service occupations generally are more religious and possess less secular attitudes than those in non–public service occupations.