Title: Advancing Social Justice Through Administration: An Integrative Review Of Public Policy, Equity, And Marginalized Communities In Developing Countries
Authors: Mustafe Mahamoud Abdillahi, Ph.D. (c)
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 17-28
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
This integrative review critically examined the role of public administration in advancing social justice for marginalized communities in developing countries, focusing on policy implementation in the housing, education, and justice sectors. The analysis synthesized theoretical frameworks from social justice and public administration with empirical studies and case analyses to investigate the persistent gap between equitable policy intent and inequitable outcomes. The review identified a pervasive design-implementation gap, where well-intentioned policies were consistently undermined by local power dynamics, weak state capacity, and resource constraints. Furthermore, it revealed deeper systemic barriers, including corruption, institutional weakness, and embedded socio-cultural discrimination-that actively diverted resources and reinforced exclusion. In response, the literature pointed to a suite of promising administrative strategies, such as participatory governance, equity-targeting, culturally competent administration, and strategic technology use, that showed potential to counteract these barriers when applied synergistically. A critical finding was that technocratic solutions often failed when they ignored underlying political economy factors and power structures. The review concluded that advancing social equity requires a fundamental reorientation of public administration towards a New Public Service model, where administrators act as facilitators who co-produce solutions with communities. The findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners while highlighting critical gaps for future research, particularly in comparative implementation, street-level bureaucracy, and long-term institutional transformation.