ABSTRACT
Democratic governments can legitimately expect permanent civil servants to undertake functionally politicized tasks, such as providing political-tactical advice. However, safeguarding the neutrality and legitimacy of a permanent civil service in the context of functional politicization necessitates that political considerations do not override professional judgment or impede the delivery of free, frank and fearless advice. Although existing research has documented functional politicization in permanent civil services situated in different politico–administrative systems, its behavioral implications remain insufficiently explored. Drawing on a survey of 901 senior permanent civil servants in managerial positions across Denmark’s central, regional and local governments, this study finds that the engagement in functionally politicized tasks is associated with a higher likelihood of altering or omitting professional input in response to perceived political pressures. However, the study finds no significant relationship between functional politicization and civil servants’ willingness to voice concerns to their superiors, which suggests that their capacity to provide free, frank and fearless advice remains intact.