There is a vast and rapidly expanding literature on democratic backsliding and the impact of populist politics on liberal democratic institutions. Yet surprisingly little of this work examines public bureaucracy and the impact of backsliding on its role in governing. This book suggests that the public bureaucracy has been one of the targets of democratic backsliding driven by populist politics and argues that, in the face of such attacks, the bureaucracy must act as a guardian of the constitution and of liberal democratic norms. This is not a call for bureaucratic dominance in government, but a recognition that liberal democracy requires checks on the powers of majoritarian governments. In this light, the bureaucracy can be understood as a fourth branch of government, capable of enforcing those checks. While addressing urgent contemporary challenges, this book is grounded in historical and philosophical reflections on bureaucracy and its legitimate role in governing.

‘Bringing together political theory, political science, and public administration, this analytically sophisticated book reminds us that bureaucracies, however often criticized, remain indispensable institutions for the defence of democracy. A timely and salutary contribution-and a must-read.'

Philippe Bezes - CNRS Research Professor, Sciences Po

‘Confronting the threat of illiberal populism spreading across the free nations of the world, this superb team of authors construct a convincing case for public administration as a distinctive defender of liberal democracy. With a global and comparative orientation, the authors deliver the goods in clear writing, logical organization, and an impressively coherent theoretical framework. This is the book we need right now.'

Brian J. Cook - Professor Emeritus, Center for Public Administration and Policy, Virginia Tech

‘In a time when authoritarian and populist threats increasingly erode democracies worldwide, this book offers powerful theoretical reflections and rich empirical insights on bureaucratic guardianship as a democratically bounded response to democratic backsliding. Drawing on extensive research and practical experience, the authors compellingly show why rethinking governance is essential to democratic resilience. A must-read for these challenging times for democracy, governance, and science, when defending democratic resilience has become both an intellectual and political imperative.'

Gabriela Lotta - Professor of Public Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV/EAESP)

‘This bold book makes a major argument about the functions of bureaucracy in protecting liberal democratic societies against sliding into illiberalism. Written by established scholars who courageously engage with such a major contemporary challenge, this book is exemplar of the timely rediscovery of the role of intellectuals as both custodians and agents of renewal of the ideational bases of a civilization.'

Edoardo Ongaro - Professor of Public Management, The Open University