Does Policy Influence Hollow Out Public Managers’ Political Neutrality?

Joachim Åström,Erik Hysing,Jan Olsson

doi:10.1177/00953997211050305

Abstract

Consequences of public officials’ policy influence have been at the center of debates on political–administrative relations. Based on a survey of public managers in Swedish local government ( N = 1,430), this study examines whether policy politics hollows out political neutrality. The analysis shows that although managers are highly involved in policy politics, attitudinal support for the neutrality principle is strong. The enquiry into behavioral intentions shows more variation. In relation to a set of dilemmas, most managers would defend neutral competence, but significant minorities would also act for more partisan reasons. However, we find no empirical evidence that policy influence undermines political neutrality.

Highlights

The relationship between politicians and public administrators is a classic theme that has continued to generate debate within public administrationAdministration & Society 00(0)research
We will examine the extent to which this principle is shared by the local public managers in Sweden and how their support for political neutrality relates to their power to shape policy
These findings may not come as a big surprise to public administration scholars, but still they suggest that the public managers in Swedish local governments are deeply involved in policy politics

Summary

Introduction

The relationship between politicians and public administrators is a classic theme that has continued to generate debate within public administrationAdministration & Society 00(0)research. Others conclude that the dichotomy is an unrealistic empirical model, suggesting that the relationship is better characterized as a hybrid (Aberbach et al, 1981) or as a pair of complementary roles, in which politicians and public administrators have overlapping functions, are interdependent, and exert reciprocal influence (Svara, 2006a) Following this line of reasoning, defining and upholding political neutrality within the administration is less about drawing a clearly demarcated line and more about active reflection and deliberation by public administrators (Hartley et al, 2015) and/or having a more highly developed political leadership (Torfing & Sørensen, 2019)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion