Representation and Policy Outputs: Examining the Linkage between Passive and Active Representation

Abstract

Is there any significant relationship between a group's representation in higher-level positions and policy outputs favorable to that group? This paper explores the linkage between passive and active representation by examining the impacts of female, African-American and Hispanic employment in the Senior Executive Service (SES) on the policy outputs measured by the line-item budgets allocated to help women and minorities in the presidential request budget for the period of 1979–1999. Findings indicate that female and minority representation in senior executive positions is slightly linked to the policy outputs favorable to those groups. If a president's party is not controlled, there appears to be a significant relationship between female and minority representation in the SES and funding for education and health-related programs. The Democratic parry's control of the presidency is likely to support greater funding for female and minority-related programs, as the large number of past studies suggested. Further, the interaction or cooperation between the female African-American and Hispanic senior executives plays a significant role in achieving policy outputs favorable to those groups.