Balancing Neutral and Responsive Competences in the Context of Functional Politicization

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Opstrup, Niels; Salomonsen, Heidi Houlberg; Gron, Caroline Howard; Villadsen, Anders Ryom
• 署名单位: University of Southern Denmark; Aarhus University; Aarhus University
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3298; 1467-9299
• DOI: 10.1111/padm.70072
• 发表日期: 2026-06-03
• 关键词: civil servants; functional politicization; neutral competence; political pressure; responsive incompetence; TOP CIVIL-SERVANTS; political responsiveness; ministers

摘要

Democratic governments can legitimately expect permanent civil servants to undertake functionally politicized tasks, such as providing political-tactical advice. However, safeguarding the neutrality and legitimacy of a permanent civil service in the context of functional politicization necessitates that political considerations do not override professional judgment or impede the delivery of free, frank and fearless advice. Although existing research has documented functional politicization in permanent civil services situated in different politico-administrative systems, its behavioral implications remain insufficiently explored. Drawing on a survey of 901 senior permanent civil servants in managerial positions across Denmark's central, regional and local governments, this study finds that the engagement in functionally politicized tasks is associated with a higher likelihood of altering or omitting professional input in response to perceived political pressures. However, the study finds no significant relationship between functional politicization and civil servants' willingness to voice concerns to their superiors, which suggests that their capacity to provide free, frank and fearless advice remains intact.