Theory and Testing of Governments' Credible Apologies: A Reply to Lowry's "Comment on Yap's 'Non-Electoral Responsiveness Mechanisms'"

In: British journal of political science, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 371-375

Abstract

A reply to Robert C. Lowry's comment on O. Fiona Yap's article, "Non-Electoral Responsiveness Mechanisms" (2003), argues that Lowry wrongly claims that the article assumes that there is a "causal arrow running from poor economic performance to credible apologies." Rather, these apologies stem from the need for economic resources like a stable labor pool & production investment on the part of resource owners. Lowry's assertions that a causal relationship is needed for the concept of accountability & that credible apologies must be made in response to poor economic performance in order for governments to be held accountable for the consequences of their policies are challenged. An example of the link between disputes & the appearance of flowers is used to show that these assertions are inconsistent with theoretical & empirical conventions. Lowry's critique of the data contained in the Appendix is contested. It is concluded that the tests & models used in the article offer substantial support for the credible apologies argument. 1 Table. J. Lindroth