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Lethal Incompetence: Leaders, Organizations, and the U.S. Response to COVID-19
Abstract
The study of voter competence has made significant contributions to our understanding of politics, but at this point there are diminishing returns to the endeavor. Voter competence is unlikely to improve dramatically enough to make much of a difference to our politics. By contrast, the competence of officials can and does vary substantially over short periods of time. To understand variations in government performance, therefore, we would do better to focus on the abilities and performance of officials, not ordinary citizens. We elaborate on this argument, emphasizing the “incompetence multiplier”: the way that the properties of hierarchies can amplify the incompetence of those in powerful positions. We illustrate our argument with an extended discussion of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Incompetence is a key vulnerability in democratic governments.
“This makes incompetence a “key vulnerability in democratic governments” (p.322).”
From How to study democratic backsliding (2024) · cites this paper as Bendor and Bullock, 2021
Incompetent leaders tend to choose incompetent underlings, leading to a spreading effect.
“Bendor and Bullock (2021) point out that incompetent leaders tend to choose incompetent underlings, leading to a spreading effect.”
From How to study democratic backsliding (2024) · cites this paper as Bendor and Bullock, 2021
Bendor and Bullock provide examples of incompetent Trump decisions that had substantial consequences for democratic stability.
“Bendor and Bullock (2021) provide a litany of examples of incompetent Trump decisions that had substantial consequences for democratic stability.”
From How to study democratic backsliding (2024) · cites this paper as Bendor and Bullock (2021)
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References 19 · Cited by 3
Research works printed but not linked: 16
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Metadata
- Authors
- Bendor, J., & Bullock, J. G.
- Affiliations
- Stanford University (US)
- Northwestern University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Bendor, Jonathan
- Venue
- The Forum
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2021-09-01
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 317-337
- ISSN
- 1540-8884 (ISSN-L)
- 2194-6183
- OpenAlex
- W3200659535
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 2.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Forum (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Public Administration and Political Analysis
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Electoral Systems and Political Participation
- Social Sciences › Public Administration › Public Policy and Administration Research
- Keywords
- political incompetence, leader competence, organizational hierarchy, government performance, COVID-19 pandemic response, public health policy, political leadership
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