Balancing Neutral and Responsive Competences in the Context of Functional Politicization
基于丹麦901名高级公务员的调查，发现从事功能政治化任务会增加公务员因政治压力而修改或省略专业意见的可能性，但不会影响他们向上级表达担忧的能力。
ABSTRACT 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.