The Political-Bureaucratic Interface Across the System Centralized and Diffuse Accountability Across Government (Cont’d) February 7th, 2006

The Centripetal Tendencies top-down responsiveness coherence centralized political accountability collective cabinet responsibility political control (vs. impartiality)

Centripetal Organizational Responses agents of central political control PM and Prime Minister’s Office Cabinet Treasury Board Minister of Finance

The Centre – The Political/Bureaucratic Interfaces PM/Cabinet and PCO Clerk of the Privy Council political-bureaucratic interface in other central agencies Minister of Finance and Department of Finance President of the Treasury Board (cabinet committee) and the Treasury Board Secretariat

Channels of Central Political Control outward at political level (then downward to bureaucratic level) downward from political to bureaucratic level (then outward at bureaucratic level) downward and outward from political level to bureaucratic level

Channels of Central Political Control Prime Minister, PMO, Min.Finance, TBP Ministers Clerk of the Privy Council, PCO, TBS Deputy Ministers

Channels of Bureaucratic Influence DM influence over Ministers from Minister to Cabinet PCO influence over PM/Min. Finance/Treasury Board from PM/Min. Fin./Treasury Board to Ministers PCO influence over DM’s -DM influence over ministers

Channels of Bureaucratic Influence Prime Minister, PMO, Min.Finance, TBP Ministers Clerk of the Privy Council, PCO, TBS Deputy Ministers

The Political-Bureaucratic System Political Level Bureaucratic Level

Implications of the Organizational Structure various agencies (departments, agencies) which have radically different organizational purposes line departments -- provide services/programs central agencies – coordinate line departments potential for conflict inherent in structure central agency mandate for horizontal coordination reinforces centripetal tendencies line department resistance reinforces centrifugal tendencies these tendencies become institutionalized even if the circumstances/concerns which give rise to these tendencies fade, the tendencies may persist

Implications of the Organizational Structure centrifugal forces and centripetal forces exist at both bureaucratic and political levels creates complex mix of incentives for various actors creates potential for cross-level coalitions/alliances contrasts with bureaucratic vs. political dichotomy

Implications of the Organizational Structure political-bureaucratic interfaces exist at numerous sites PM/PMO and PCO central agency ministers and central agencies PM and DMs line departments ministers and DMs

Implications of the Organizational Structure political-bureaucratic interfaces exist at numerous sites creates potential for complex strategies of political control or bureaucratic influence blockage of one line (political control or bureaucratic influence) does not mean that control/influence not exercised more simplistic model highlighted democratic questions; reality is more complex whether elected officials or public service officials dominate whether the departments dominate or The Centre dominates