The Federal Civil Service System and the Problem of Bureaucracy

by Johnson, Ronald N.; Libecap, Gary D.

• ISBN13: 9780226401713
• ISBN10: 0226401715
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-12-01
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

The call to "reinvent government"to reform the government bureaucracy of the United Statesresonates as loudly from elected officials as from the public. Examining the political and economic forces that have shaped the American civil service system from its beginnings in 1883 through today, the authors of this volume explain why, despite attempts at an overhaul, significant change in the bureaucracy remains a formidable challenge.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

The "Problem of Bureaucracy"

Replacing Political Patronage with Merit: The Roles of the President and the Congress in the Origins of the Federal Civil Service System

The Continuing Political Conflict over Control of Federal Employees and the Requirement for Further Institutional Change

The Rise of Federal Employees as an Interest Group: The Early Years

The Maturation of Federal Employees as an Interest Group

Explaining the Success of Federal Employees as an Interest Group

The Implications of a Protected Bureaucracy

The Economics and Politics of Institutional Change in the Political Arena

Appendix to Chapter 2

Appendix to Chapter 3

Appendix to Chapter 5

Appendix to Chapter 6

References

Index

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