Rethinking the politics of blame avoidance under populism: the UK, Covid-19, strategic lying, bullshit, boosterism and scapegoating

Andrews, Leighton ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9166-0116 2024. Rethinking the politics of blame avoidance under populism: the UK, Covid-19, strategic lying, bullshit, boosterism and scapegoating. Rhodes, R. A. W., Flinders, Matthew, Dmitiova, Gergana, Weaver, Kent and Hinterleitner, Marcus, eds. The Politics and Governance of Blame, Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 680-703. (10.1093/oso/9780198896388.003.0028) Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This chapter argues that while the UK response to Covid may be analysed using the standard models of the blame avoidance literature, the specific nature of the Covid response under a populist government needs a more critical engagement to draw out the specific approaches of populism, which itself is a strategy of blaming. This requires a stronger focus on the strategic action and intent of the government as it seeks to achieve a state of post-pandemic ‘blame decay’. Drawing on learning from Journalism Studies, the chapter identifies strategic populist approaches of lying, bullshit, boosterism, and scapegoating and suggests a revision of the blame avoidance typology to accommodate the populist responses.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISBN:	9780198896388
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	11 January 2023
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2024 15:02
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/155648

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