Synopses & Reviews
The relationship between civil servants and politicians is as fascinating as it is complex with their mutual interdependence requiring to cooperate despite the ever-present risk of tension and conflict. For reasons of efficiency it is important that the civil service has a certain degree of independence and detachment from the political process. The requirement of democratically legitimate and accountable decision-making however demands control at the political level.
This comparative study focuses on the changing relations between civil servants and politicians in the European Union in the last two decades. As well as national case studies this book also looks into politico-administrative relations in supranational institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Review
To come
Synopsis
This comparative study focuses on the changing relations between civil servants and politicians in the European Union in the last two decades. As well as national case studies this book also looks into politico-administrative relations in supranational institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament.
About the Author
Luc Verhey is Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Sophie Voohanacker is Jean Monnet Professor, Department of Politics, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Christine Neuhold is Associate Professor of European Governance, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Abbreviations
PART I: CIVIL SERVANTS AND POLITICS: SETTING THE SCENE
Introduction; C.Neuhold and S.Vanhoonacker
Politicisation: What is it and why should we care?; B.G.Peters
Civil Servants and Politicians: Problems and Future Prospects; L.Verhey
Civil Servants and Whistle-blowing: Loyal Neutrality and/or Democratic Ideal?; G.Hunt
PART II: POLITICISATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS BETWEEN NEUTRALITY AND POLITICAL ACTIVISM? COUNTRY STUDIES
Civil Servants and Politicians: A Very British Relationship; D.Woodhouse
Managerialism and politicisation in the Dutch Civil Service; S.van Thiel
Civil Servants: How to Support the Political Level: The French Case; F.Baron
Civil Service Reform in Slovakia and Hungary: The Road to Professionalisation?; K.Staronova
Civil Servants and Politics in Germany; U.Battis
PART III: SUPRANATIONAL BUREAUCRACIES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PLAYERS
Commission Civil Servants and Politics: De-politicised Bureaucrats in an Increasingly Political Organisation; M.W.Bauer and J.Ege
The European Parliament's Administration: Between Neutral and Politicised Competence; C.Neuhold and I.Romanyshyn
Conclusion; S.Vanhoonacker, C.Neuhold and L.Verhey