Breaking the Bargain: Public Servants, Ministers, and Parliament

Donald Savoie

Published by University of Toronto Press 2003

Breaking the Bargain

Public Servants, Ministers, and Parliament

Donald Savoie

In the series Heritage

https://doi.org/10.3138/9781442657229

Overview
Contents

About this book

In Breaking the Bargain, Donald J. Savoie reveals how the traditional deal struck between politicians and career officials that underpins the workings of our national political and administrative process is today being challenged.

Author / Editor information

Savoie Donald :

Donald J. Savoie holds a Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at l'Université de Moncton.

Reviews

James Travers:

'Savoie makes the compelling case that democracy and its vital institutions are weak and dangerously near collapse. His argument, detailed with academic discipline and journalistic flair in Breaking the Bargain, is that the rules and boundaries that once separated politicians and bureaucrats have been tossed in history's dumpster. Far from some dusty tome, this is dramatic stuff with real-life implications.'

Thomas S. Axworthy:

'Donald Savoie has once again produced a timely and serious book. In Breaking the Bargain, Savoie has opened up the black box of government by examining the intricacies of the relationship between ministers, Parliament, and the bureaucracy... Savoie writes crisply on the history of the traditional bargain between cabinet ministers and the public service, and he evokes well the era when Canada was recognized for having one of the finest public services in the world...but the Ottawa of the Mandarinate was like Athens on the Rideau compared to the Ottawa of today with its horde of lobbyists, a media gone mad over personal scandal, a cabinet which is more like a focus group than the centre of decision-making, and public servants currying favour rather than pointing out error.'

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Tables Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
1. Introduction: The Bargain Then and Now Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Part One: Foundations
2. Creating a Non-partisan Civil Service Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	23
3. The Traditional Bargain Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	40
4. Life in the Village Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	62
Part Two: Code Red, 1980s and 1990s
5. Diagnosing the Patient Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	83
6. Looking Elsewhere for Policy Advice Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	103
7. Deputy Ministers and Management Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	132
Part Three: Reconfiguring the Pieces
8. Parliamentarians, Ministers, and Public Servants Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	171
9. Reshaping the Bargain Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	206
10. Redefining Accountability Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	245
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	285
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	327

Language: English
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Audience: College/higher education;Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 336

eBook

Published: December 15, 2003
ISBN: 9781442657229