Bureaucratic resistance in times of democratic backsliding / João V. Guedes-Neto, B. Guy Peters.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Guedes-Neto, João V., author.

Peters, B. Guy, author.

Series:

Cambridge elements. Elements in public and nonprofit administration, 2515-4303.

Cambridge elements. Elements in public and nonprofit administration, 2515-4303

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bureaucracy.

Executive power.

Political culture.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (65 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2025.

Summary:

This Element investigates how public employees react to illiberal policies proposed by authoritarian leaders during democratic backsliding. Using survey experiments employed with 942 bureaucrats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, the research explores their willingness to resist the implementation of illiberal policies. Findings show a significant readiness for resistance. The results indicate varying levels of resistance across countries, with Brazilian bureaucrats showing the highest, followed by British and American counterparts. Additionally, within-country analysis identifies individual characteristics affecting the intent to resist. The Element explores the dynamic relationship between politicians and bureaucrats, the autonomy of civil servants, and the perils of working under autocratic leadership. It also underscores the need for tailored strategies in recruiting and retaining public employees to uphold democratic values. These findings shed light on the complex dynamics between bureaucrats and democratic governance, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding institutions in times of authoritarian challenges.

Contents:

Cover

Title page

Imprints page

Bureaucratic Resistance in Times of Democratic Backsliding

Contents

1 Introduction

2 A Theory of Bureaucratic Resistance

2.1 Bureaucratic Autonomy

2.2 Bureaucratic Politics

2.3 The Illiberal Era and Bureaucratic Autonomy

2.4 Bureaucratic Resistance

2.5 Summary

3 Bureaucrats and Politicians in Three Selected Countries

4 Empirical Tests

4.1 List Experiments

4.2 Heterogeneous Treatment Effects

5 Findings

5.1 H1: Are Bureaucrats Willing to Shirk and Sabotage?

5.2 H2: Does the Perception of Better Opportunities in the Private Sector Affect Resistance?

5.3 H3: Do Tenured Bureaucrats Differ from Untenured Public Employees?

5.4 H4: Do Supervisors Differ from Subordinates?

5.5 Does Peer Pressure Affect Bureaucratic Response?

5.6 Vignette Experiment

5.7 Omitted Variable Bias and Balance across Countries

6 Discussion

6.1 Questions for Further Research

6.2 Conclusion

References.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 29 Sep 2025).

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-009-43748-8

1-009-43749-6

1-009-43747-X

OCLC:

1526227766