Public Participation as Administrative Practice: Evidence from Federal Entitlement Communities

Public participation is widely recognized as an important component of democratic governance, yet empirical studies often evaluate participation by the methods employed rather than the institutional structures through which participation is organized within administrative processes. Drawing on an analysis of 289 local jurisdictions receiving federal block grants, this study examines participation as structured administrative practice rather than simply a collection of engagement methods. Using inductive analysis of Consolidated Plans, the study develops a typology of four participation structures: Minimal Compliance, Structured Consultation, Institutionalized Consultation, and Embedded Participation.