Skip to main content

Introduction: The Social Dynamics of Daily Inspection Work

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Inspectors traditionally represented the hard hand of the state. They represent a powerful central government that has the power to enforce rules and levy fines. The interaction between an inspector and an inspectee is one characterized by unequal power and large uncertainly. At the frontline of government, inspectors combine their role of enforcer with that of a social worker and an educator. They are street-level bureaucrats with a crucial role in enforcing rules and laws and in steering citizens, organizations and companies into a desired direction. In the interaction between inspectors and inspectees, and in each of the chapters of this book, one sees a vivid picture of all the difficulties of governing a society and of working as a bureaucrat.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Apaza, C. R. (2010). Integrity and accountability in government: Homeland security and the inspector general. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gogol, N. (1999). Three plays: The government inspector; marriage; the gamblers. Camden: Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grek, S., & Lindgren, J. (Eds.). (2014). Governing by inspection. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kagan, R. A., & Bardach, E. (1982). Going by the book: The problem of regulatory unreasonableness. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, H. (1960). The forest ranger: A study in administrative behavior. Baltimore: John Hopkins Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelman, S. (1981). Regulating America, Regulating Sweden: A comparative study of occupational safety and health policy. Cambridge: MIT press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Light, P. C. (1993). Monitoring government: Inspectors general and the search for accountability. Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maynard-Moody, S., & Musheno, M. (2000). State agent or citizen agent: Two narratives of discretion. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 10(2), 329–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. H., & Gates, M. J. (1986). Inspectors-general: Junkyard dogs or man’s best friend? New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newcomer, K. E. (1998). The changing nature of accountability: The role of the inspector general in federal agencies. Public Administration Review, 58(2), 129–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newcomer, K., & Grob, G. (2004). Federal offices of the inspector general: Thriving on chaos? The American Review of Public Administration, 34(3), 235–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raaphorst, N. (2018). How to prove, how to interpret and what to do? Uncertainty experiences of street-level tax officials. Public Management Review, 20(4), 485–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raaphorst, N., & Loyens, K. (2018). From poker games to kitchen tables: How social dynamics affect frontline decision making. Administration & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399718761651.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven Van de Walle .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Van de Walle, S., Raaphorst, N. (2019). Introduction: The Social Dynamics of Daily Inspection Work. In: Van de Walle, S., Raaphorst, N. (eds) Inspectors and Enforcement at the Front Line of Government . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04058-1_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics