Administrative Theory & Praxis

Rapid Response Rolling Dialogue Submissions: Public Administration in the Second Trump Administration

Since its inception as Dialog in 1978—founded as a forum to question dominant paradigms and expand the boundaries of public administration thought—Administrative Theory & Praxis (ATP) has provided a platform for critical and heterodox perspectives, especially in times of political upheaval. The journal’s early issues, circulated as “stapled sheets of yellow paper,” reflected a bold commitment to engaging with questions of epistemology, utopian visions, and critiques that challenged the status quo/mainstream of public administration. By 1993, Dialog had evolved into ATP, broadening its scope while remaining true to its roots examining public administration through anti-positivist, post-positivist, and critical lenses.

ATP’s mission to challenge dominant paradigms is always needed, and it is needed now. This rolling call for Dialogue submissions seeks to address the urgent ethical, social, and global questions raised by a second Trump presidency. The  administration’s appeals to “restore” a traditional America—framing cultural, racial, religious, and ideological identity as threatened—have resonated with a majority of voters in the United States. For some, Trump represents a “protector” who promises security and stability; yet, as many public administration scholars know, this security often comes at the expense of already marginalized and minoritized communities, fueling division rather than fostering the justice, equity, and democracy that serve as the foundations of a healthy nation.

This call invites contributions that engage with the complex dynamics of Trump’s populist appeal and the implications for this movement on the administration of public services and goods. Echoing Arlie Hochschild’s “deep story” and Katherine Cramer’s research on rural resentment, Trump’s rhetoric speaks to those who feel displaced and unseen in a changing world, bringing forth questions central to the public administration field: What does equity mean in governance guided by an executive elected by a majority who voted in favor of Trump’s policy priorities including allowing states to restrict reproductive rights, opposing basic health care for women and trans people, and opening large internment camps for migrants ? How do public servants contribute to or engage in guerilla governance in the second Trump administration? How can public administration serve as a force for justice or injustice amid such polarization?

As in previous pivotal moments, we respond with a commitment to examining how public administration theory and praxis can address, critique, and respond to political forces that test the boundaries of democracy, equity, and public trust. We believe that the Trump presidency, with its unprecedented challenges to democratic norms and values, warrants a dedicated space for sustained intellectual exchange that explores public administration’s role and responsibilities during this moment.

Scope and Objectives

We seek contributions that examine the ethical dimensions of this presidency, as well as the spaces of hope and resistance emerging within and outside of the state. We especially welcome perspectives that consider what this presidency means from to international (comparative) administrative regimes and that pull theoretical insights from non-Western contexts, expanding our field’s understanding of governance, power, and public responsibility.

We encourage submissions that:

• Explore the ethical implications of a second Trump term for public administrators and institutions, addressing questions of public trust, transparency, and responsibility;

• Identify and analyze spaces of resistance and hope, within governmental structures, nonprofits, and/or grassroots movements, that challenge or subvert harmful policies or actions;

• Engage with social equity and justice, particularly how public administration can respond to heightened issues of inequality, disenfranchisement, and human rights;

• Discuss the implications of a second Trump term on administrative law, professional codes, and the public service professions;

• Consider how international perspectives—especially non-Western theories and knowledge—can provide fresh insights into navigating these challenges, expanding the theoretical foundations of public administration in a globalized world.