Managing Dissonance and Dissent

Bureaucratic Professionalism and Political Risk in Policy Implementation

Bibliographic Data

ID6090293
AuthorsDenise Lillvis (0000-0003-1507-542X, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume41
Issue3
Pages310-335
Publication date2019-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLaw & Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-8240 • E-ISSN: 1467-9930
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/lapo.12131
OpenAlexW2947851494
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited48

This article examines the implementation of a Michigan rule requiring vaccine‐critical parents to attend an education session at a local health department prior to receiving an immunization waiver. During interviews (N = 35), public health professionals recognized that providing waivers deviated from their professional mission. Yet, they chose to prioritize client service in their interactions, thereby managing and absorbing conflict at the parent level. Politically, vaccine critics have succeeded in proposing bills to undo this rule. This suggests that conflict management and absorption is a vital policy function because conflict can turn into political action, endangering the future of a promising rule

Bureaucracy · Cognitive dissonance · Dissent · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Undo · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Law · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Psychology · Public Administration · Public Health Policies and Education · Social Psychology

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