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

Tom Christensen and Per Lægreid ()
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Tom Christensen: University of Oslo
Per Lægreid: University of Bergen

Public Organization Review, 2022, vol. 22, issue 2, No 5, 307 pages

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Scientization; Experts; COVID-19; Norway; politics; Administration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11115-022-00605-0

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