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The Obama Administration's Challenges after the “War on Science”: Reforming Staffing Practices and Protecting Scientific Integrity in the Executive Branch

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  • Justin S. Vaughn
  • José D. Villalobos

Abstract

In this article, we examine the difficult leadership position President Barack Obama inherited as he took office with respect to science and technology policy making and implementation, particularly following the Bush administration and years of the so‐called “war on science.” We contend that the Obama administration's challenge is not only to take substantive policy action, but also to reform certain administrative practices, particularly in light of the previous administration's practice of the politics of strategic vacancies, a managerial technique that rearranges an agency's ideological inclinations not through the usual forms of active politicization (i.e., by filling the appointee ranks with like‐minded ideologues) but instead by “starving” the agency of staff and co‐opting its agenda that way.

Suggested Citation

  • Justin S. Vaughn & José D. Villalobos, 2009. "The Obama Administration's Challenges after the “War on Science”: Reforming Staffing Practices and Protecting Scientific Integrity in the Executive Branch," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 26(6), pages 803-819, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:26:y:2009:i:6:p:803-819
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2009.00418.x
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    2. Johnson, Ronald N. & Libecap, Gary D., 1994. "The Federal Civil Service System and the Problem of Bureaucracy," National Bureau of Economic Research Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226401713.
    3. Long, Norton E., 1952. "Bureaucracy and Constitutionalism," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(3), pages 808-818, September.
    4. Ronald N. Johnson & Gary D. Libecap, 1994. "The Federal Civil Service System and the Problem of Bureaucracy," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number john94-1.
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