Constitutional Intersection of Civil Liberty and Public Administration

Synonyms

Civil rights; Constitutional law; Public law

Definition

The constitutional intersection of civil liberty and public administration refers to the need for public administrators to act in ways that do not violate individual liberties protected by a constitution, which is the fundamental charter for government.

Introduction

Public administrators act under authority granted directly or indirectly through constitutions, which are the fundamental charters for government. Constitutions typically contain provisions that limit government’s ability to interfere with certain individual liberties. Public administrators must adhere to these limits while carrying out their duties or face exposure to litigation and liability. This entry briefly describes the main tensions that public administrators in America face when balancing the efficient and effective implementation of public programs, with respect for individual liberty under the US Constitution. This entry does not address state...