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Policy failures, blame games and changes to policy practice

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  • Hinterleitner, Markus

Abstract

Studies examining the policy implications of elite polarisation usually concentrate on policy formulation and change, but neglect the impact of polarisation on the day-to-day application of policies. Applying the method of causal process tracing to the Swiss “Carlos” case, a blame game triggered by the reporting about an expensive therapy setting for a youth offender, this article exposes and explains a hitherto neglected, but highly important, mechanism between political elites engaging in blame generation and changes in policy practice. A policy’s distance and visibility to mass publics, as well as the incentives and resources of elites to engage in blame generation, explain the dynamics within blame games, which, in turn, effect organisational and behavioural changes that help institutionalise a more politicised policy practice. Politicised policy practice can make an important difference to policy target populations, as well as damage output legitimacy and undermine democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Hinterleitner, Markus, 2018. "Policy failures, blame games and changes to policy practice," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 38(2), pages 221-242, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:38:y:2018:i:02:p:221-242_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Argenton, Cedric & Potters, Jan & Yang, Yadi, 2023. "Receiving credit: On delegation and responsibility," Other publications TiSEM 1d0b8aec-7255-4e81-a5bc-5, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Argenton, Cédric & Potters, Jan & Yang, Yadi, 2023. "Receiving credit: On delegation and responsibility," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Awad, Emiel & Karekurve-Ramachandra, Varun & Rothenberg, Lawrence, 2023. "Politicians, Bureaucrats, and the Battle for Credit," SocArXiv ajrey, Center for Open Science.
    4. Livia Johannesson & Noomi Weinryb, 2021. "How to blame and make a difference: perceived responsibility and policy consequences in two Swedish pro-migrant campaigns," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 54(1), pages 41-62, March.
    5. Pim Derwort & Nicolas Jager & Jens Newig, 2019. "Towards productive functions? A systematic review of institutional failure, its causes and consequences," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 52(2), pages 281-298, June.

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