Table 1.

Programmes and Politics: Mapping A Range of Proportional and Disproportional Possibilities

		Positioning the Programmatic Dimension
		Underreaction	Proportional reaction	Overreaction
Positioning the Political Dimension	Underreaction	Position 1: Politically Blind Government Pursuing Inadequate Policies Example Political underreaction: Government considered not sufficiently attentive to credible evidence of a major pandemic because of excessive focus on preserving political reputation/agendas/ideas Programme underreaction: Government perceived as not doing enough to prevent escalation of pandemic cases and deaths	Position 2: Lack of Appropriate Political Problem Recognition, Masking Strong, Reasonable Measures Example Political underreaction: Despite credible science on consequences of climate change, government perceived as engaging in climate change denial with its argument that climate mitigation is a threat to economic growth and the existing way of life Programme proportionality: Measures and targets to address climate threats are viewed as more seriously focused than government admits publicly	Position 3: Government Playing Down Issues but Pursuing Draconian Policies Example Political underreaction: In face of credible domestic terrorist threat, government is judged as downplaying them in order to allay citizen fears Programme overreaction: Despite publically playing down terrorist threats, government is accused of introducing draconian and intrusive surveillance measures
	Proportional reaction	Position 4: Reasonable Political Recognition of Problem but Insufficient Action on the Policy Problem Example Political proportionality: Government perceived as recognising problems of attracting workers to regional labour markets but also perceived as seeking to balance the issue against its other agenda priorities Programme underreaction: Funding incentives viewed as partially successful in attracting workers to regional areas, but also viewed as insufficient to address deeper barriers such as lack of easy access to high quality healthcare	Position 5: Proportional Response Across the Board Example Political proportionality: Government is perceived as ‘doing the right thing’ politically because it is aware that a series of food contamination episodes in supply chains need be addressed but also aware of need to insulate government reputation, agendas and trajectory as much as possible Programme proportionality: Regulatory measures to address food contamination in supply chains are judged as focused and appropriate	Position 6: Reasonable Political Framing but ‘Going Too Far’ on Policies Example Political proportionality: Acknowledgment of government recognising that a series of media investigations into the private/public lives of elected members has generated scandals that are a threat to its reputation, agendas and trajectories Programme overreaction: Government accused nevertheless of resorting to tighter media regulation than is necessary, as opposed to addressing the behaviour of its elected members
	Overreaction	Position 7: Hyperactive Politics Marginalises Possibility of Effective Policy Response Example Political overreaction: Government perceived as overinterpreting and exploiting crime statistics in order to advance its law and order agenda Programme underreaction: Government, despite its rhetoric, is judged as not doing enough to ensure safer local communities	Position 8: Overzealous Politics Masking a More Measured Policy Response Example Political overreaction: Government accused of inflated public rhetoric with major trade partner by its use of the language of full-blown ‘trade war’ Programme proportionality: Measures to address trade issues are judged as more diplomatic and relevant than suggested by government rhetoric	Position 9: Overkill Politics and Overkill Policies Example Political overreaction: Government judged as going too far by exploiting budget deficit to fuel a broader ‘anti big government’ ideological agenda Programme overreaction: Government judged as pursuing much harsher cutbacks and austerity measures than is necessary to address the deficit