Research framework and broader academic knowledge base
Serbia: documented application of the same framework
Why do those in power often choose loyal people instead of the best experts?
The government often chooses loyalty over expertise because an independent and able-bodied person can be more politically risky than an obedient co-worker. An expert can point to a mistake, refuse an illegal order, build his own reputation or have information that the leader does not control.
Loyal staff is more predictable and ready to implement the decision without questions, but it is precisely for this reason that they often keep silent about the problem and transmit only the news that the top wants to hear. The consequence is not only poor quality of services: the system can become very effective in political control, and at the same time unable to solve complex public problems. A practical sign is a pattern in which people progress without clear results, while professional and independent work are not removed after.
Many researches can more easily see who is making progress than how good the decisions are. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between intention, behavior and the actual result.
Works supporting this answer, with their evidence type and an explanation of how they relate to the claim.
review more research
Hassan, M., Mattingly, D. i Nugent, E. R. (2022), „Political Control“, Annual Review of Political Science 25: 155–174.
- Contribution to this answer
- Hassan shows how the political top through personnel decisions and organization of administration tries to maintain control over the state apparatus. The work helps to understand why political reliability can become an important criterion, but does not simply test the choice of 'loyalty or expertise'.
review more research
Pepinsky, T. B., Pierskalla, J. H. i Sacks, A. (2017), „Bureaucracy and Service Delivery“, Annual Review of Political Science 20: 249–268.
- Contribution to this answer
- Pepinsky, Pierscalla and Sacks show that the quality of bureaucracy and public services depends on the manner of employment, organization and relations of officials with politics and citizens. Professionalism is therefore not only a feature of the individual, but a result of the system.
review more research
Dahlström, C. i Lapuente, V. (2022), „Comparative Bureaucratic Politics“, Annual Review of Political Science 25: 43–63.
- Contribution to this answer
- Dahlstrm and Lapuente show how the relationship between political control and professional autonomy affects corruption, development and quality of services. Personnel rules therefore have consequences much wider than the choice of an individual official.
surveys in several countries
Schuster, C. i dr. (2022), „Exit, Voice, and Sabotage: Public Service Motivation and Guerrilla Bureaucracy in Times of Unprincipled Political Principals“, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 32(2): 416–435.
- Contribution to this answer
- Schuster and co-authors show that professionally motivated officials respond to politically problematic orders differently they try to influence the decision, obstruct it or think about leaving. The politicization can therefore change the behavior and composition of the institution.
comparing several countries or cases
Alon-Barkat, S., Gilad, S., Kosti, N. i Shpaizman, I. (2025), „Career Civil Servants’ Socially Embedded Responses to Democratic Backsliding“, Perspectives on Politics.
Alon-Barkat, S., Gilad, S., Kosti, N. i Shpaizman, I. (2025), “Career Civil Servants’ Socially Embedded Responses to Democratic Backsliding,” Perspectives on Politics.
- Contribution to this answer
- Alon-Barkat and the co-authors show that officials who see democratic backlash as a threat are more likely to think about leaving and less about additional engagement. The expected politicization can thus leave the institution without a part of the professional staff.
Is a relevant source missing? Send it to us.
Suggest a source or report an error in this answer →