Political Transactions, the Social Contract, and Administrative Power

Abstract

Although power has frequently been noted as a key to understanding administration, the concept of administrative power has remained ill-defined. In this essay I offer a definition of administrative power based on the social contract, arguing that administrative power is the transactional granting of power by the people in exchange for services and a reduction in uncertainty that agencies provide. I elaborate on the role of communication and persuasion in garnering administrative power and conclude by offering arguments, based on both risk communication and political spin, for how agencies acquire and maintain administrative power in the 21st Century.