Government: Have Presidents and Prime Ministers Misdiagnosed the Patient?

Governments in the Western world face a challenge due to the concentration of political power and the changing role of government bureaucracy. This has led to a professional non-partisan civil service, but when presidents and prime ministers expand their personal authority, national institutions must adjust, leading to political power being centralized, Parliament, Congress, and the National Assembly being weakened, Cabinet losing standing, political parties being debased, and civil services being knocked off their moorings.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 22 May 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Career officials have become skilled at playing the blame game, but they struggle to embrace change.

To address these challenges, Donald Savoie examines the United States, Great Britain, France, and Canada, highlighting the professional non-partisan civil service in these countries. Despite their distinct institutions shaped by different histories, they share a common challenge: when presidents and prime ministers expand their personal authority, national institutions must adapt, while bureaucracies expand to fill the gap, paradoxically reducing government efficacy.

The consequences are widespread: political power is increasingly centralized, weakening Parliament, Congress, and the National Assembly; the Cabinet loses its standing; political parties are debased; and civil services are destabilized. Reduced responsibility and increased transparency make civil servants hesitant to take risks, while politicians are quick to point fingers.

To overcome these challenges, governments must prioritize the development of effective institutions, promote transparency and accountability, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. By doing so, they can restore trust in government and ensure that it serves the needs of its citizens.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228011095