184 ◾ Logics of Legitimacy
the constitutional hierarchy. ese discretionists are haunted by the paradox of
responsibility (Harmon 1995), in which claiming agency denies the traditional
Constitutional rationale for political legitimacy. eir concerns are founded in
theoretically accurate assertions that elitism of administrative authority replaces
the democratic process (O. F. White 1990). As Appleby feared, professionals are on
top instead of on tap (Mosher 1968; Stillman 1991).
Discretion Fails to Produce the Public Good
In the Discretionary Tradition, expertise alone is the standard bearer of legitimacy,
and it is released from strong political oversight by either representatives or citi-
zens collectively. In wielding thi