In person icon Balancing Experts and Democracy: Navigating Influence, Trust and Accountability in Policy-Making

Abstract

The growing emphasis on evidence-based policymaking has brought independent expertise to the forefront of contemporary governance, with experts playing a prominent role in addressing challenges such as the financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis. Experts not only provide analysis and recommendations but also visibly shape public discourse - standing beside politicians during press briefings and acting as gatekeepers and explainers of complex issues. While their presence has been celebrated as a means to ensure more informed decisions, it has also sparked debate about their legitimacy and democratic accountability. This panel examines the evolving role of expertise in democratic governance, focusing on tensions between expert influence, citizen demands, and democratic principles. Central questions include: To what extent do expert actors influence public policy, and under what conditions? How does their influence vary by type of expertise and across policy domains? And how can this influence coexist with the need to sustain public trust in democratic processes? We also invite papers exploring attitudes toward expertise in governance. While surveys indicate growing support for independent experts in decision-making and technocrats in government, rising skepticism toward scientific expertise and increasing anti-elite rhetoric highlight a significant tension. What constitutes “politically legitimate” expertise in the eyes of citizens, and why do they simultaneously demand and resist greater expert influence in policymaking? This panel invites papers that address these questions, drawing on theoretical, empirical, or comparative approaches.

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