Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration

The Distorted Mirror: An Exploratory Study on Ethnoracial Representation and Social Equity in the Mexican Federal Government

Felipe Blanco — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This article presents an exploratory assessment of the ethnoracial composition of the federal government in Mexico, and its possible consequences for social equity by asking: How representative is Mexico’s federal bureaucracy of the different ethnoracial groups in the country. What are the possible implications of that composition for social equity? To answer these questions, data were gathered through an online randomized survey. Results suggest that Mestizos and Whites may be overrepresented, and Indigenous and Afro-Mexicans may be underrepresented when compared to the overall population. This “distorted mirror” of Mexican demographics would be by itself unlikely to advance social equity in terms of symbolic and active representation. Furthermore, this research suggests that ethnoracial identities may not be salient for public administrators, which would impede the transition from passive to active representation needed to promote social equity.

Historical Amnesia: Public Administration and the Second Founding

Meghan E. Geist, Ashley E. Nickels — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study critically examines the marginalization of the Second Founding period (1865–1877) in public administration scholarship, revealing a persistent historical amnesia that obscures its foundational impact on governance and social equity. By analyzing 67 articles and book chapters across leading public administration journals and handbooks, the study identifies key gaps in the literature, such as the limited engagement with the Reconstruction Amendments and the neglect of key organizations and figures like the Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedom Lawmakers. The findings suggest that acknowledging the Second Founding’s contributions can deepen the field’s commitment to social equity and reshape its understanding of historical narratives.

Are Virtual Meetings More Equitable? An Evaluation of City Council Meeting Participation in San Diego

Dominika Bukalova, Joshua Chanin, Elizabeth Maland — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Few studies have investigated the impacts of the recent shift to virtual meetings on public participation and no known studies have explored the implications of e-participation on advancing equity in public administration. This study investigates the frequency of nonagenda public comment provided at city council meetings, comparing participation during in-person meetings to participation during virtual meetings. Our analysis, based on five years of data, reveals that overall participation increased when virtual meeting technologies were incorporated. We found that female participation surpassed male participation in meetings that offered virtual participation options. These findings highlight how virtual meeting technology impacts public participation, how it may encourage female participation, and advance gender equity in public administration.

Population Vulnerability and State Policy to Address Racial Health Inequity: The Intersection of Politics and Preterm Births in Health Equity Policy

Nathan Myers, Tonya E. Thornton, P. Edward French — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigates whether a state’s Black preterm birth rate prior to the COVID-19 pandemic is related to the policies a state adopted in the midst of the pandemic to try to increase health equity, controlling for the overall percentage of the African American population in the state and the governor’s partisan affiliation. Regression results find that the Black preterm birth rate and the state’s governor being affiliated with the Republican party have a statistically significant and negative relationship with equity policies associated with the governor. In another regression analysis, the percentage of the state’s population that is African American is positive and significant, while the partisan affiliation of the governor is no longer significant. This finding supports the theory that protecting members of marginalized populations during pregnancy does not greatly influence state policy but the proportion of the African American population may be influential in encouraging policy action.

From Theory to Practice: How Local Governments Operationalize Social Equity Budgeting

Saman Afshan — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Local governments utilize social equity budgeting (SEB) as a strategy to address systemic inequalities and promote inclusive development. Despite its potential benefit to improve equity in resource allocation, SEB practices differ significantly between jurisdictions. This study investigates how local government officials incorporate social equality initiatives into their budgeting processes. Drawing on qualitative survey data from municipal and county budget and finance directors across North Carolina, this study explores the motivations and the specific strategies used by practitioners to embed equity principles into public budget processes. The findings put forth actionable insights on how local governments can make budgeting more equitable, illustrating the diverse factors and practices that influence how this takes shape. Focusing on SEB’s objectives and methods, this article sheds light on how equity initiatives can be practically operationalized by local governments, providing valuable inputs for policymakers seeking to enhance social equity through fiscal measures.

The Full Participation of Women in the Public Sector Workplace: Women’s Emotions and (In)Authentic Expression

Erin L. Borry, Heather Getha-Taylor, Heather I. Shurtliff — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In the push for ever-improved organizational performance, scholarship and practice may neglect the human elements that contribute to such performance. Emotional labor research focuses on the outward-facing aspects of public service, but inward emotional experiences are not commonly studied, despite their professional and personal impact. This study surveys women public servants about the emotions they experience at work and how they manage them. Respondents report a range of positive and negative emotions at work, and they manage them in professionally acceptable ways. Specifically, they suppress negative emotions more than positive ones. Results suggest that connections among emotions, emotion management, organizational support, and career success are nuanced: women report intangible rewards but are less satisfied with tangible ones. If women trade emotional authenticity for career success, this research suggests those efforts are only partially successful. This raises questions about women’s ability to participate authentically and perform fully in public service organizations.

Rebuilding Trust in Public Institutions: A Path Toward Racial Healing for African Americans

Mark McKinney — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Persistent distrust between Black communities and public institutions remains a critical barrier to achieving social equity in the United States. This commentary explores the historical and contemporary roots of institutional distrust, emphasizing how legacies of exclusion, systemic bias, and administrative neglect continue to fracture relationships between Black citizens and the public sector. Drawing on recent events and policy shifts, the essay argues that racial healing must be central to any effort to rebuild legitimacy and trust. It highlights the role of public administrators as agents of change—capable of fostering transparency, accountability, and culturally responsive governance. By framing trust-building as both a moral imperative and a strategic necessity, this piece offers a pathway for institutions to engage in restorative practices that honor lived experiences and promote justice. The urgency of this moment demands bold reflection and action to transform public administration into a vehicle for healing and equity.

REVIEW: Social Equity in a Post-Roe America: Gender, Race, and the Rule of Law

Anna M. Crawford — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

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