What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate the policymaking activities of caretaker governments and challenge the prevailing assumption of maintaining the policy status quo.

August 6, 2026Political Science Research and MethodsOpen Access

Policymaking activities of caretaker governments in Western Europe

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Authors

MZMingyi Zhang

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Overview

This article challenges the assumption that caretaker governments keep policy unchanged in Western Europe, highlighting important implications.

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the policymaking activities of caretaker governments and challenge the prevailing assumption of maintaining the policy status quo.
Utilized original data on government bills from 238 cabinets across 11 Western European countries.
Developed a timeframe-based political definition of the caretaking period within the coalition lifecycle.
Explored normative issues related to the presence of caretaker governments.
Provided empirical evidence that caretaker governments do not always maintain the policy status quo.
Highlighted critical issues concerning practical caretaking rules and coalition governance.
Questioned the over-generalization of caretaker governments in political literature.

Cite This Study

Mingyi Zhang (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7437f4764cddc9499d5cea https://doi.org/10.1017/psrm.2026.10118

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August 6, 2026Political Science Research and MethodsOpen Access

Policymaking activities of caretaker governments in Western Europe

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

MZMingyi Zhang

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

This article challenges the assumption that caretaker governments keep policy unchanged in Western Europe, highlighting important implications.

Key Points

This research aims to investigate the policymaking activities of caretaker governments and challenge the prevailing assumption of maintaining the policy status quo.
Utilized original data on government bills from 238 cabinets across 11 Western European countries.
Developed a timeframe-based political definition of the caretaking period within the coalition lifecycle.
Explored normative issues related to the presence of caretaker governments.
Provided empirical evidence that caretaker governments do not always maintain the policy status quo.
Highlighted critical issues concerning practical caretaking rules and coalition governance.
Questioned the over-generalization of caretaker governments in political literature.

Cite This Study

Mingyi Zhang (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7437f4764cddc9499d5cea https://doi.org/10.1017/psrm.2026.10118

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