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From: Ian Ritchie
To: futurework
Subject: RE: civil service
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 10:25PM
I agree with Victor and others about the need to "reform" the
civil/public service if the ideology is to be rolled back.
In New Zealand, and I suspect this applies in Canada as well as
elsewhere,
at least half the public servants have been appointed to the new
right agenda and are responsible for implementing the Strategic Result Areas
etc, rather then providing public services.
The main criteria for appointment, at least at lower levels, is the
right attitude, not knowledge, skills or experience, at least certainly not
re the provision of public services. This was spelled out very clearly to a
friend who has worked the the Public Serbice for a long time, to me today,
in just those words.
<snip>
I think its the other way around: When the pendulum swings back and
a role for government is understood, the civil/public service will be
'reformed.' The civil service and 'government' in general still seems to be
the convenient target of blame when anything goes wrong.
arthur cordell
