Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

The Separation of Powers and the Presidential War Against Gender Ideology

Robert Roberts

James Madison University

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7137-7444

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jsepa.v4i2.6917

Keywords: gender ideology, unitary executive branch theory, transgender rights

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Abstract

Immediately after starting his second term as president, Donald Trump declared war on so-called “gender ideology.” President Trump issued an executive order establishing national policy that there are two genders: male and female. The article examines the use of unitary executive branch theory by the second Trump administration to create moral panic by arguing that so-called gender ideology seeks to corrupt American youth by having them question their gender identity and the social equity movement. The social equity movement argues that the discipline of public administration should recognize social equity as a foundation, alongside efficiency, equity, and economy. The constitutional school of public administration argues that the discipline must recognize the rule of law as its foundation. Many social equity scholars trace the birth of the social equity movement to the 1968 Minnowbrook Conference. Social equity theory argues that public administrators must work to eliminate social inequities in the United States and around the globe. The constitutional school of public administration argues that all residents of the United States deserve protection against violations of their fundamental constitutional and statutory rights. The article argues that social equity and the constitutional school of public administration must join forces to prevent the second Trump administration from creating moral panic by perpetuating the myth of gender ideology.

 

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Author Biography

Robert Roberts, James Madison University

Robert Roberts (robertrn@jmu.edu) has taught at James Madison University since 1982. Professor Roberts holds a BA, MPA, JD, and PhD in Public Administration from Syracuse University. He is the author or co-author of White House Ethics (Greenwood, 1988); with Marion T. Doss, From Watergate to Whitewater: the Public Integrity Wars (Praeger 1997); with Tony Eksterowicz, Public Journalism and Political Knowledge (Rowman & Littlefield, 2000); Ethics in U.S. Government: An Encyclopedia of Investigations, Scandals, Reforms and Legislation (Greenwood 2001); with Scott Hammond, Encyclopedia of Presidential Campaigns, Slogans, Issues and Platforms (Greenwood 2004). Articles by Professor Roberts have appeared in the Public Administration Review, International Journal of Public Administration, Public Integrity, PS (Political Science), and Politics and Policy. Professor Roberts teaches courses in Introduction to Public Administration, Legal Environment of Public Administration, Criminal Procedure, and State and Local Government.

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