QoG lunch seminar with Stine Hesstvedt

Authors: Atle Haugsgjerd (Norwegian Institute for Social Research), Stine Hesstvedt (Norwegian Institute for Social Research) and Jonas Linde (University of Bergen)

Abstract: 

Experts are an integral part of the decision-making process in most democracies today. More than ever before, politicians delegate decision-making powers to expert bodies and non-elected experts of different sorts. A growing literature examining popular support for technocratic decision-making shows that support for this type of governing is prevalent in the European public. Yet, an important unanswered question is how the gatekeepers of expert influence – elected politicians and bureaucrats – view technocratic decision-making and how their views match those of citizens. In this paper, we address these questions by comparing the attitudes of bureaucrats, politicians, and voters towards the decision-making power of experts across a range of policy-areas. Using unique, nationally representative data specifically designed for comparing the attitudes and characteristics of these three key actors in the democratic chain of delegation, we study the (mis)match in support for technocratic decision-making. Our study contributes with new insights into the legitimacy of one of the most prevalent governance trends of our time.