Chapter 8 - Lesson 1 - Understanding Blame‑Avoidance Strategies
Part of an ongoing series of articles exploring core concepts of political blame and blame avoidance in governance and political communication.
The Politics of the Escape Hatch: Understanding Blame‑Avoidance Strategies
When leaders spend as much time dodging responsibility as solving problems
“We’re Just Following the Science”
In 2020, as COVID‑19 spread and lockdowns rolled out, a common refrain echoed from government podiums: “We are following the science.” At face value, it sounded responsible — decisions were guided by expert advice, not political whim. But it also served another purpose: creating a buffer between leaders and public anger. If restrictions proved unpopular or the pandemic response faltered, blame could be shifted toward scientists and advisory panels.
This is the heart of blame‑avoidance strategies — the deliberate use of communication, structure, and policy to reduce or deflect responsibility for negative outcomes.
What It Means
Paraphrased: Blame‑avoidance strategies are the set of presentational, agency, and policy tools used by political actors and organizations to minimize the personal or institutional costs of failure, controversy, or crisis.
Verbatim from Hood: “Blame‑avoidance strategies can be presentational (framing, spin, argumentation), agency‑related (delegation, structural firewalls), or policy‑related (protocolization, individualization, abstinence).” (Hood, 2011, p. 7)
