This book theorizes subversive action, a neglected mechanism in the new institutionalism literature. Subversive action is political in nature, secretly undermining some institutions to open up alternative ideas or to secure existing institutions by secretly undermining adversaries. An example is a politician who promises change in public, but does something else behind the scenes to preserve the status quo. The book addresses the nature and meaning of subversive action and the contexts that give rise to it, as well as how it can work as an important mechanism behind institutional change and continuity. The book will interest students and scholars of public policy, public administration and political science. Chapter1. Introduction.- Chapter2. Agency in new institutionalism.- Chapter 3. Subversive action.- Chapter 4. Subversive action in context.- Chapter 5. Stability, change and subversive action.- Chapter6. Conclusion and reflections.
Jan Olsson is Professor of Political Science at ?rebro University, Sweden. His research focus is on policy analysis, public administration, and planning. He has published articles on policy-making, implementation, multi-level governance and inside activism in journals such as the Journal of European Public Policy, Planning Theory and Practice, andEnvironmental Politics.
In a compelling and accessible, grounded and theoretically informed style, this book opens up new lines of research into the micro politics of institutional change efforts, both resistant and transformative. Students of social change will be building upon, debating and extending this book for many years.
Professor John Forester, Department of City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, USA
Jan Olsson's focus on subversive action - the hidden politicalls’
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