Doing Administration, Doing Gender: Repairing Political Neutrality with a Feminist Toolbox

Abstract

One of the ways to enhance the transformative potential of public administration theory is by recognizing the inherently gendered nature of the ideational underpinnings of public service. The article applies feminist theory to the concept of political neutrality of public servants. It argues that rather than discarding the ethos of neutrality altogether, it can be repaired with the feminist methodological toolbox. Building on the author’s own work experience with the Polish public administration, the article formulates a vision of more meaningful and contextual political neutrality, better adjusted to the circumstances of civil servants on the ground.