Populism and Public Management

Call for Papers: Populism and Public Management

Journal: Public Money & Management
Publisher: Routledge – Taylor & Francis Group
Research Article & New Development Submission Deadline: 1 October 2026
Debate Article Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026

About the Special Issue

Public Money & Management invites submissions for a thought-provoking Special Issue on “Populism and Public Management.” The issue seeks interdisciplinary contributions exploring how the rise of populism is reshaping public administration, governance, policymaking, and the role of public managers across different political systems.

As populist movements continue to gain influence across the world, public institutions increasingly face challenges related to governance, accountability, democratic values, constitutional norms, and administrative neutrality. This Special Issue aims to examine how public managers and administrators respond to these evolving political realities and what implications they hold for public services and the broader public good.

Scope and Themes

The Special Issue welcomes conceptual, empirical, comparative, and case-based contributions addressing topics including, but not limited to:

• Populism and its implications for public management and administration
• Public managers’ responsibilities toward liberal democracy and state continuity
• Governance challenges arising from populist political leadership
• Public sector values, ethics, and professional conduct under political pressure
• Accountability mechanisms and administrative independence
• The role of public managers in responding to extremist or anti-democratic policies
• Public service codes of conduct and institutional safeguards
• Civil service neutrality versus political responsiveness
• Diversity, inclusion, and equality policies under populist governments
• Constitutional governance and public administration
• Ethical dilemmas faced by public managers in periods of political polarization
• Public sector resistance, whistleblowing, and “guerrilla government” debates
• Comparative perspectives on populism and public management across countries
• Lessons from different governance systems and administrative traditions
• The impact of populism on public policy implementation and service delivery

Types of Contributions

The Special Issue welcomes:

• Research Articles (up to 8,000 words)
• New Development Articles (up to 3,500 words)
• Debate Articles (up to 1,000 words)

Both theoretical and practice-oriented submissions are encouraged.

Special Issue Editors

Zoe Radnor
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global Academic Hubs
Aston University, United Kingdom

David Walker
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom

Submission Guidelines

• Manuscripts must follow the official Public Money & Management author guidelines.
• All submissions should be made through the ScholarOne submission system.
• Authors must declare any potential conflicts of interest, including affiliations with lobbying or advocacy organizations.
• Accepted articles will be published online with a DOI upon acceptance and will not wait for the full issue publication.

Important Dates

• Research Articles & New Development Articles Deadline: 1 October 2026
• Debate Articles Deadline: 1 December 2026
• Planned Hybrid Symposium for Contributors: Late Summer / Early Autumn 2026

Why Submit?

This Special Issue provides an opportunity to contribute to one of the most important contemporary debates in public administration. By examining the intersection of populism, governance, ethics, accountability, and public service management, contributors can help shape future scholarship and inform public sector practice worldwide.

About the Journal

Public Money & Management is a leading international journal dedicated to advancing research and practice in public administration, governance, public policy, public finance, and public management. The journal serves academics, policymakers, practitioners, and public sector leaders seeking evidence-based insights into contemporary public sector challenges.

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