More blacks occupy public administration positions in the United States in 1990 than at any other time in the nation's history (Joint Center for Political Studies, 1990). With respect to elected officials, the total in 1989 was almost 30 percent higher than the total in 1987, and the number doubled in the decade of the 1980s (Joint Center for Political Studies, 1990). This research examines the phenomenon of the growth of black representation in public administration in the United States.
There is likely no single explanation for the growth of the black representation in American public administration. Improved educational opportunities for black Americans, trans lated into higher levels of educational attainment by blacks, is one contributing factor. Twenty five years of aggressive desegregation efforts subsequent to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly with respect to affirmative action programs, also contributed to the increase in black representation in public administration. A third factor which has contributed to the increase in black representation in public administration is the change in racial demographics in
1 2many American cities. This change has brought about black political control in many American cities, and black political control has been accompanied by increased black representation in public administration. A fourth contributing factor was the elimination of the military draft, which created an all volun teer armed forces establishment in the United States.
Public administration may be defined both narrowly and broadly. For the purposes of this research, a broad definition has been adopted, and public administration is defined as all public employees elected officials, appointed bureaucrats, personnel employed in white and blue collar jobs, law enforce ment officers, and military personnel.
With respect to the cause of the increase in black repre sentation in American ...