Bureaucracy and Democratic Governance: Politicization, Autonomy and Accountability

A cornestone of Leonardo Morlino's legacy is the belief that a "good democracy" requires a competent, honest, and efficient civil bureaucracy. In this spirit, this panel aims to explore the complex ways in which bureaucratic institutions affect democratic governance and adapt to changing political environments. We invite submissions that thoughtfully address themes such as autonomy, politicization, professionalization, integrity, administrative leadership, and accountability, particularly in relation to the changing dynamics between elected officials and career civil servants. We encourage contributions that consider how bureaucracies navigate challenges such as polarisation, populism, and democratic backsliding, and how they might either uphold, accommodate, or inadvertently weaken democratic norms. Comparative studies across diverse administrative systems, including insights from beyond Europe and the Global South, are especially encouraged.