Theory and Testing of Government's Credible Apologies: A Reply to Lowry's, ‘What Explains Credible Apologies'

Abstract

I appreciate the work that Professor Lowry has put into the evaluation of the credible apologies argument presented in my article, "Non-Electoral Responsiveness Mechanisms." Lowry states that I assume, "a causal arrow running from poor economic performance to credible apologies." I am obliged to point out that this is inaccurate - I make no such assumption. What does cause the government's credible apologies? It is the need for the economic resources of labor quiescence and production investment from the respective resource owners. Theory and empirical studies suggest that the withdrawal of such resources follows less-than-optimal economic performance; it follows, then, that governments in the less-democratic countries who need these resources are forced to pay attention to economic performance, and offer credible apologies following sub-optimal economic performance.