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Centralizing and decentralizing governance in the COVID-19 pandemic: The politics of credit and blame

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  • Greer, Scott L.
  • Rozenblum, Sarah
  • Falkenbach, Michelle
  • Löblová, Olga
  • Jarman, Holly
  • Williams, Noah
  • Wismar, Matthias

Abstract

COVID-19 led to significant and dynamic shifts in power relations within and between governments, teaching us how governments make health policies and how health crises affect government. We focus on centralization and decentralization within and between governments: within government, meaning the extent to which the head of government controls policy; and between governments, meaning the extent to which the central government pre-empts or controls local and regional government. Political science literature suggests that shifting patterns of centralization and decentralization can be explained by leading politicians' efforts to gain credit for popular actions and outcomes and deflect blame for unpopular ones. We test this hypothesis in two ways: by coding the Health Systems Response Monitor's data on government responses, and through case studies of the governance of COVID-19 in Austria, Czechia and France. We find that credit and blame do substantially explain the timing and direction of changes in centralization and decentralization. In the first wave, spring 2020, heads of government centralized and raised their profile in order to gain credit for decisive action, but they subsequently tried to decentralize in order to avoid blame for repeated restrictions on life or surges of infection. These findings should shape advice on governance for pandemic response

Suggested Citation

  • Greer, Scott L. & Rozenblum, Sarah & Falkenbach, Michelle & Löblová, Olga & Jarman, Holly & Williams, Noah & Wismar, Matthias, 2022. "Centralizing and decentralizing governance in the COVID-19 pandemic: The politics of credit and blame," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(5), pages 408-417.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:126:y:2022:i:5:p:408-417
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2022.03.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth Gibney, 2020. "Whose coronavirus strategy worked best? Scientists hunt most effective policies," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7806), pages 15-16, May.
    2. Weaver, R. Kent, 1986. "The Politics of Blame Avoidance," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(4), pages 371-398, October.
    3. Löblová, Olga & Rone, Julia & Borbáth, Endre, 2021. "COVID-19 in Central and Eastern Europe: Focus on Czechia, Hungary, and Bulgaria," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, pages 413-435.
    4. Fox, D.M., 2017. "Toward a public health politics of consequence: An autobiographical reflection," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(10), pages 1604-1605.
    5. Hinterleitner,Markus, 2020. "Policy Controversies and Political Blame Games," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781108494861.
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    2. Breide, Lukas & Budzinski, Oliver & Grebel, Thomas & Mendelsohn, Juliane, 2023. "Forerunners vs. latecomers: Institutional competition in the German federalism during the COVID crisis," Ilmenau Economics Discussion Papers 182, Ilmenau University of Technology, Institute of Economics.
    3. Karreinen, Soila & Rautiainen, Pauli & Keskimäki, Ilmo & Satokangas, Markku & Viita-aho, Marjaana & Tynkkynen, Liina-Kaisa, 2023. "Pandemic preparedness and response regulations in Finland: Experiences and implications for post-COVID-19 reforms," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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