Philosophy
The Sociology of Bureaucratic Discretion in Welfare State Administrative Decision-Making
Quick fact
Street-level bureaucrats—like welfare caseworkers—often make decisions that deviate from official policy, and this discretion can lead to systematic differences in who receives benefits, even when applicants have similar circumstances.
Why this is interesting
Why do two people with identical welfare claims receive different benefits? The answer often lies not in the rules but in the people who apply them.