From Dichotomy to Hybridization. Theory and Analysis of Technocracy–Democracy nexus

Research on technocracy has gained significant momentum over the past decade. The emergence of technocratic governments in Italy and Greece during the Great Recession, the increasing presence of experts in ministerial positions across advanced democracies (beyond traditional finance and economic portfolios), and the rise of independent agencies and other “depoliticized” institutions, such as central banks, have drawn growing attention from both political scientists and the public. However, this surge in interest has simultaneously fostered specialization in research while diminishing theoretical and conceptual clarity regarding technocracy. Today, we have a deeper understanding of various dimensions of technocracy: the profiles of experts and their quantitative presence in government, public perceptions of expert-driven decisions, the role of experts in global finance, and the technocratic elements of the European Union. Yet, the multifaceted nature of technocracy and its intricate relationship with democracy remain underexplored and underconceptualized. Technocracy and democracy are often framed as opposing ideal types. In technocracy, power resides with experts, whose legitimacy is rooted in technical competence and whose focus is on effectiveness and efficiency. By contrast, representative democracy derives its legitimacy from elections and political parties, with policymaking shaped by value-driven choices and the interests of constituencies. Despite these apparent contrasts, technocracy and democracy frequently coexist, forming a continuum marked by political and policy tensions. For instance, the literature underscores how populism and technocracy can reinforce one another, as populist parties often gain traction following technocratic governance. Understanding technocracy is thus essential to grasping the transformations of democracy. This study offers an empirical and theoretical examination of the forms and implications of technocracy within democratic contexts, focusing on the mechanisms of hybridization between the two. Rather than isolating specific aspects of this phenomenon, the research adopts a more holistic approach, analysing how technocracy integrates with and influences democratic structures and processes. The study employs the V-Dem 14 (Varieties of Democracy) dataset for operationalization, utilizing variables such as the Elected Officials Index, Head of Government (HOG) Party Affiliation, Election Management Body Autonomy, Participatory Component Index, and Accountability Index. These indicators facilitate a nuanced examination of technocratic characteristics (e.g., elite governance and depoliticized decision-making) alongside democratic attributes (e.g., participation and accountability). A comparative and descriptive methodology is applied to analyse these variables across countries and over time, revealing patterns and variations in hybridization processes. By moving beyond simplistic, dichotomous perspectives, this research offers a dynamic understanding of the interplay between technocracy and democracy. It explores how technocracy simultaneously challenges and reinforces democratic institutions, reshaping governance to address the complex pressures of contemporary society. In doing so, it aspires to contribute to the theory and empirical analysis of the hybridization between technocracy and democracy.