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The Diffusion of Responsibility: An Alternative Perspective for National Policy Politics in the US
Author(s) -
JONES CHARLES O.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
governance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.46
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1468-0491
pISSN - 0952-1895
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-0491.1991.tb00008.x
Subject(s) - presidency , politics , expansive , perspective (graphical) , political science , government (linguistics) , power (physics) , competition (biology) , political economy , democracy , public administration , law and economics , law , sociology , ecology , linguistics , philosophy , compressive strength , materials science , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , computer science , composite material , biology
This article proposes a diffusion of responsibility perspective in analyzing post–World War II politics in the United States. Many analysts test the American system by a responsible party perspective, proposing reforms that will orient the system toward the goals of that model. Divided government has characterized much of the period since 1945 and identifiable (and wholly constitutional) politics has accompanied that development. The diffusion of responsibility alternative is characterized by a separated presidency, an expansive Congress, competition between the branches for shared power, and, absent a crisis, a tendency toward perpetuation.