Comparing Westminster

by Rhodes, R.A.W.; Wanna, John; Weller, Patrick

• ISBN13: 9780199695584
• ISBN10: 019969558X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-09-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Comparing Westminsterexplores how the governmental elites in Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa understand their Westminster system. It examines in detail four interrelated features of Westminster systems. Firstly, the increasing centralization in collective, responsible cabinet government. Second, the constitutional convention of ministerial and collective responsibility. Third, the role of a professional, non-partisan public service. And finally, parliament's relationship to the executive. The authors explain the changes that have occured in the Westminster model by analyzing four traditions: royal prerogative, responsible government, constitutional bureaucracy, and representative government. They suggest that each tradition has a recurring dilemma, between centralization and decentralization, party government and ministerial responsibility, professionalization and politicization, and finally elitism and participation. They gone on to argue that these dilemmas recur in four present-day debates: the growth of prime ministerial power, the decline in individual and collective ministerial accountability, politicisation of the public service, and executive dominance of the legislature. Comparing Westminsterconcludes by identifying five meanings of--or narratives about--Westminster. Firstly, 'Westminster as heritage'--elite actors' shared governmental narrative understood as both precedents and nostalgia. Second, 'Westminster as political tool'--the expedient cloak worn by governments and politicians to defend themselves and criticize opponents. Third, 'Westminster as legitimising tradition'--providing legitimacy and a context for elite actions, serving as a point of reference to navigate this uncertain world. Fourth, 'Westminster as institutional category'--it remains a useful descriptor of a loose family of governments with shared origins and characteristics. Finally, 'Westminster as an effective political system'--it is a more effective and efficient political system than consensual parliamentary governments. Westminster is a flexible family of ideas that is useful for many purposes and survives, even thrives, because of its meaning in use to #xE9;lite actors.

Author Biography

John Wanna is The Sir John Bunting Professor of Politics and Public Administration (Australia and New Zealand School of Government), Research School of Social Sciences, the Australian National University and Professor in Public Policy, Griffith University. Patrick Weller is Professor of Politics and Public Policy, and Premier of Queensland Chair of Governance and Public Policy, Griffith University.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	p. vi
Preface and Acknowledgements	p. vii
List of Abbreviations	p. x
Looking for Westminster	p. 1
Comparing Westminster	p. 21
Living Traditions	p. 45
Executive and Cabinet	p. 78
Ministerial Responsibility	p. 116
The Public Service	p. 155
Parliaments and Representation	p. 187
The Meanings of Westminster	p. 219
Bibliography	p. 235
Author Index	p. 255
Subject Index	p. 260
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