Resisting the tide: the role of organizational routines in mitigating policy dismantling

Abstract

After years of austerity, rising populism, and declining trust in government, research on policy dismantling has grown. Recent discussions highlight the importance of resilience against dismantling. This article explores organizational routines as safeguards, arguing that they act as “dikes” that prevent dismantling. Focusing on Mexico’s open government policy post-2018, the study examines how routines have helped preserve key components despite political shifts. Using data from the Open Government Metric, a biannual assessment of open government practices, the research identifies varying levels of resilience based on the routinization of activities and procedures in agencies over the past two decades. Findings suggest that embedded routines ensure continuity by institutionalizing procedures that limit or delay policy breakdown. This study contributes to the understanding of policy resilience, showing that organizational routines can act as stabilizing forces against political pressures, particularly those associated with democratic erosion. The findings have broader implications for safeguarding governance frameworks in uncertain or volatile environments.

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