Contextualizing government-in-action

Abstract

In this introductory chapter the historical and societal context of the phenomenon street-level bureaucracy receives attention. What kinds of developments in and around the modern state can be observed and how have they shaped the evolution of government bureaucracy at the street level? The rise of the welfare state has led to a variety of public officials working in contact with citizens. Teachers, police officers and other street-level bureaucrats, located on the site where state and society almost literally meet, directly undergo influences from society at large. Macro developments such as the accumulation of public policies, permanent technological innovation and the dynamics of cultural individualism on the ground floor of government have effectively led to an ongoing strain. Over the years, the demands experienced there seem to have multiplied rather than diminished. This makes it relevant to explore the impact of such influences.