The Ombudsman: Tribune of the People

Abstract

The Ombudsman is an agent of parliament who receives and may investigate citizens' grievances against bu reaucracy. His powers are to recommend, to publicize, and to report to parliament. The institution began in Sweden and has been adopted or considered by many other countries. There is widespread interest in the Ombudsman because the institu tion meets a general need in modern, industrialized nations for a means of resolving citizens' unique, individual problems with a depersonalized administration. The courts, which are slow and costly, do not provide adequate means of redressing citi zens' personal grievances. In the United States, congressmen have an Ombudsmanlike role in investigating and trying to solve constituents' problems. But this job—called "casework" on Capitol Hill—is so burdensome that it interferes with con gressmen's more important legislative and policy-making func tions. Congressman Reuss has proposed establishing an Ad ministrative Counsel, inspired by the Ombudsman, to take over a part of the "casework," thereby lightening the burden on con gressmen and aiding citizens more effectively. The Chairman of the Administrative Conference may also function as a kind of Ombudsman. California and other states and cities are considering establishment of Ombudsmen.