Date

8-9-2024

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

George Richard Austin, Jr.

Keywords

moral panic, public policy, rent-seeking, elite theory, punctuated equilibrium theory, media influence, law enforcement

Disciplines

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

This study employed a grounded qualitative approach to explore the intricate relationship between moral panic and public administration policy in the subfield of law enforcement administration. Using a nationwide survey derived from the U.S. Major Cities Chief Association census, postsurvey interviews and employing document analysis and crime statistics, the research investigated the impact of moral panic-induced policy decisions on law enforcement agencies from 2018 to 2022. Social media emerged as a significant catalyst, fueling public outrage and facilitating political rent-seeking. The punctuated equilibrium theory highlights abrupt budgetary and policy shifts notably found in a surge of legislative initiatives in 2021. The study revealed that policies enacted under the shadow of moral panic exert detrimental effects on law enforcement staff morale and vacancy rates, which correlate with increased violent crime statistics. The findings emphasized the dynamic interplay between moral panic and policy outcomes, highlighting the influential role of political elites in decision-making processes, aligning with elite theory. These implications span theoretical, empirical, and practical dimensions, substantially contributing to public administration scholarship. The research offers a unique and comprehensive evaluation of moral panic-induced pressure on public administration policy, providing valuable insights for policymakers, administrators, and law enforcement agencies navigating the complexities of public policy amid moral panic.

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