Work

How does government feel? Toward a theory of institutional pathos in public administration

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In the study of policy and administration, emotions are largely conceived as an exogenous factor that impacts on institutions and processes. Still ignored are the emotions felt and performed not just individually by civil servants, but collectively within government organizations. This article turns to insights on emotions from organizational studies to offer a conceptual framework through which to understand the lifeworld of government, or “institutional pathos.” It then applies this framework to an extreme case: Whitehall's response to the Brexit vote. Drawing on rich interview material from the Brexit Witness Archive, this article illustrates how the experience of individual and collective emotions deeply colored the work of British Government in delivering Brexit. The article concludes with a research agenda for public administration that foregrounds emotions.

Source: Public Administration Review

DOI: 10.1111/puar.13901

Authors: John Boswell, Jack Corbett, Dennis C. Grube, Mari‐Klara Stein

Institutions: University of Southampton, Monash University, University of Cambridge, Tallinn University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Public Policy and Administration Research

Subfield: Public Administration

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,050