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Scientization Under Pressure—The Problematic Role of Expert Bodies During the Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Tom Christensen

    (University of Oslo)

  • Per Lægreid

    (University of Bergen)

Abstract

This article focuses on the role of experts in the Norwegian decision-making process in central government during the crisis management of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is based on a structural-instrumental and a cultural perspective. The main findings are that managing the pandemic led to a centralization of power in the hands of the political leadership, a blurring of the dichotomy between politics and administration, and a variety of expert advice. The crisis management also reflected the cultural appropriateness of a collaborative decision-making style, but it was not characterized by a scientization of policymaking. Rather than policymaking by experts it was policymaking informed by experts.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Christensen & Per Lægreid, 2022. "Scientization Under Pressure—The Problematic Role of Expert Bodies During the Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 291-307, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:porgrv:v:22:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11115-022-00605-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11115-022-00605-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johan Christensen, 2018. "Economic knowledge and the scientization of policy advice," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 51(3), pages 291-311, September.
    2. Francis Fukuyama, 2013. "What Is Governance?," Working Papers 314, Center for Global Development.
    3. Tom Christensen, 2021. "The Social Policy Response to COVID-19 – The Failure to Help Vulnerable Children and Elderly People," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 707-722, December.
    4. Martin Baekgaard & Julian Christensen & Jonas Krogh Madsen & Kim Sass Mikkelsen, 2020. "Rallying around the flag in times of COVID-19: Societal lockdown and trust in democratic institutions," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 3(2).
    5. March, James G. & Olsen, Johan P., 1983. "The New Institutionalism: Organizational Factors in Political Life," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 78(3), pages 734-749, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Goutsmedt, Aurélien & Sergi, Francesco, 2024. "Redefining Scientisation: Central Banks between Science and Politics," SocArXiv dxvfp, Center for Open Science.
    2. Paul Cairney & Federico Toth, 2023. "The politics of COVID-19 experts: comparing winners and losers in Italy and the UK," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 42(3), pages 392-405.

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