000			01458pab a2200169 454500
008			180718b1997 xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d
100			_aTerry, Larry D.
245			_aPublic administration and the theater metaphor: the public administrator as villain, hero and innocent victim
260			_c1997
300			_ap.53-61
362			_aJan-Feb
520			_aSince the founding of this nation, the theater metaphor has had an influence on political discourse. Politicians often invoke the metaphor when they enact political dramas to construct themselves in the image of leader. An argument is presented that former President Ronald Reagan and his political strategists made extensive use of this strategy and were effective in portraying public administrators as evil villains. It is also argued that supporters of the administrative state relied on the theater metaphor as well. In an effort to counter Reagan's negative image of villain, supporters responded by portraying public administrators as heroes and innocent victims. This article suggests that the theater metaphor is problematic when viewed from the perspective of public administration theory and practice. The images of villain, hero and innocent victims emanating from the theater metaphor are troublesome and deserve scrutiny. - Reproduced
650			_aPublic administration - United States
650			_aPublic administration
773			_aPublic Administration Review
909			_a33363
999			_c33363 _d33363