Comparing Agencification in Anglo-American Countries

Abstract

The ‘Anglo-American’ countries analysed by these chapters share an English language culture, and history of ties with the United Kingdom, although their experiences vary considerably. Within the set, the Westminster-based systems of the UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand share the strongest institutional similarities, such as parliamentary systems, differing markedly from the separation of powers found in the United States. Ireland and the UK are also member states of the European Union, which places both in similar multi-level government structures. However, despite differences across the set, interesting themes are raised by examining the semi-autonomous bodies of these jurisdictions together. The grouping of countries is especially salient because of the high degree of communication between political and administrative elites across their borders about public organization and its reform. This communication is in large part facilitated by similar cultural traditions, movement of officials between the countries and in/out of international organizations, and the extensive, more general, governmental and economic ties that exist between the nations.