Transformational Public Service: Portraits of Theory in Practice

The Gap Problem

“…One way to contain opposition to the exclusionary political economic structure is by distracting citizens from the problems created by this unequal system with the allure of consumerism and diversion to other issues, such as abortion and gay rights, in the name of morality (Box, 2005;King & Zanetti, 2005). Another way containment has been achieved is by maintaining divisions among the majority (see Freire, 2000).…”

“…The GAP ProBlem and nonwealthy citizens than other Western societies (King & Zanetti, 2005). Thus, while we believe in the values of freedom, liberty, and equal opportunity, we also believe in the individual's right to accumulate property with little government oversight and are skeptical of redistributional policies.…”

“…Another reason for the neglect of class-related issues in the United States is that, at least until recently, elite interests have been successful in dominating public discourse, effectively limiting the voice of any opposition that may challenge the economic structure (King & Zanetti, 2005;Marcuse, 1964). (The Occupy Wall Street movement, as discussed below, provides hope that a new current is entering the public discourse.)…”

“…Their indifference tends to limit the ability of lowerincome citizens to actualize their rights as citizens because the people in power have more political influence and will limit civic engagement so far as 255 Downloaded by [Library Services City University London] at 13:38 26 March 2016 The GAP ProBlem that engagement runs counter to their economic and political interests (King & Zanetti, 2005). "Citizenship" in the context of this article is not about the fact of citizenship but instead about the rights, privileges, and obligations of being a citizen in a democracy: political participation, the ability to have a voice in political debate, and the ability to have one's interests or concerns represented in political decision-making.…”

“…Oldfield (2003) argues that individuals who enjoy a higher socioeconomic status have significant advantages over those who occupy the lower strata, and that society has come to accept this gap in opportunity through a variety of mechanisms, such as the indoctrination of capitalism in the educational system. American individualism and the perpetuation of the mythical American dream have also contributed to society's acceptance of and indifference to socioeconomic problems (King & Zanetti, 2005), although recent events suggest that this attitude may be evolving.…”