In the tumultuous landscape of American democracy during 2020 and early 2021, two monumental crises converged to challenge the very fabric of democratic accountability: the politicization of the public health response to COVID-19 and the propagation of unfounded claims undermining the integrity of U.S. elections. These phenomena, occurring simultaneously, precipitated events of profound historical significance, disrupting established democratic norms and institutional stability.
Christopher Koliba, the Edwin O. Steene Distinguished Professor of Public Affairs & Administration at the University of Kansas, has subjected these crises to rigorous scholarly scrutiny, culminating in a detailed analysis published in the peer-reviewed journal Perspectives on Public Management and Governance. His research employs a critical event analysis framework—a methodological approach commonly reserved for historical inquiry—which allows for an empirical dissection of how these events breached democratic accountability standards.
Central to Koliba’s framework are seven accountability standards derived from liberal democratic theory, representing the core traits essential for healthy governance. These include the primacy of citizen authority, limits on power concentration, expansion and protection of individual rights, tolerance of diverse perspectives, institutional forbearance, adherence to reason and truth, and the preservation of continuity and professionalism within governmental operations. His analysis meticulously applies these benchmarks to the unfolding timelines of the pandemic and election crises.
Koliba’s findings are stark: both crises ratified disconcerting ruptures in democratic norms, specifically violating standards related to reason and truthfulness, forbearance towards democratic institutions, and professional discretion. From the outset of the pandemic, the dissemination of misinformation—ranging from speculations about the virus’s origins to the promotion of unproven treatments—exemplified a departure from truth as a foundational democratic value. Concurrently, persistent allegations of electoral fraud, unsubstantiated by legal scrutiny and judicial verdicts, signaled a profound breach in institutional forbearance.
The impact extended beyond narrative distortion, affecting institutional legitimacy itself. The health crisis was marked by interference undermining the expertise and guidance of public health officials, while the election crisis disrupted the procedural integrity of electoral administration. Koliba draws attention to the unprecedented nature of a sitting president actively eroding confidence in systems he was constitutionally mandated to uphold, framing this as an alarming deviation from democratic precedents and an erosion of accountability.
Such transgressions are not mere academic concerns; they palpably influence contemporary governance practices. Koliba highlights recent developments reflecting this legacy, such as the politicization of CDC advisory panels leading to curtailed vaccine recommendations and public statements advocating for the nationalization of electoral processes—a move potentially diminishing the decentralized, pluralistic essence of U.S. elections.
More broadly, these crises illustrate an alarming trend towards executive overreach and the weakening of democratic institutions through mechanisms like executive orders that bypass legislative debate, censorship of dissenting speech, expanded federal policing powers, and the imposition of loyalty assessments for federal employees. Each represents incremental erosions that compound to threaten the structural integrity of democratic governance.
Koliba emphasizes the imperative of developing robust, empirical tools for diagnosing such democratic backsliding. By leveraging the discipline of public administration and political science, scholars can decode the mechanisms by which accountability standards are breached, ensuring that democratic ideals endured rather than eroded during periods of crisis. This approach offers a blueprint for protecting democracy through vigilant, evidence-based scholarship capable of bridging political divides.
The crises of 2020 and 2021 serve as cautionary tales, demonstrating how critical historical events can be inflection points leading to the erosion of foundational democratic norms. Koliba’s work provides an indispensable framework for interpreting these ruptures, encouraging a collective recommitment to democratic principles that transcend partisan conflict. He envisions a society unified through shared democratic ideals rather than fragmented by divisive narratives.
In essence, Koliba’s study is not just a retrospective analysis but a forward-looking call to action. It underscores the fragility of democratic institutions when subjected to misinformation, politicization, and erosion of professional standards. His research argues for a reinvigoration of democratic accountability—anchored in truth, tolerance, and institutional respect—to safeguard the core values that constitute a vibrant republic.
As democratic societies worldwide grapple with similar challenges of political polarization and institutional skepticism, this incisive study offers vital insights into the diagnostic tools necessary for contemporary governance. It is a clarion call for scholars, policymakers, and citizens alike to engage in vigilant defense of democratic norms amidst unprecedented crises.
The work also spotlights the nuanced relationship between political leadership and institutional integrity. While crises inherently demand exceptional leadership, wielding power in ways that undermine the very systems designed to protect public welfare and electoral fairness represents a dangerous paradox—one that risks unraveling the democratic fabric.
Ultimately, Koliba articulates a vision where empirical standards and democratic benchmarks serve as binding threads, weaving together a pluralistic society committed to the common good. His research stands as a foundational contribution, highlighting that democratic ideals are not abstract concepts but practical accountability measures essential for the survival of democratic governance.
Subject of Research:
Not applicable
Article Title:
Diagnostic tools for evaluating the transgression of democratic accountability standards: the United States election administration and public health crisis of 2020
News Publication Date:
13-Jan-2026
Web References:
https://academic.oup.com/ppmg/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ppmgov/gvaf025/8424370
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ppmgov/gvaf025
Keywords:
Political science, Elections, Public policy, Legislation, Communications, Legal system, Constitutional law, Social research
