Politicisation – the attack on merit and our way of life - The Centre for Independent Studies
Donate today!

Your support will help build a better future.
Your Donation at Work

Politicisation – the attack on merit and our way of life

Scott Prasser, Karla Pincott · · Liberalism in Question

Below is an excerpt from Scott Prasser paper, which can be read here.

Types of politicisation in government

    1. Making senior appointments based on partisanship, personal relationships, loyalty;
    2. Political patronage — rewarding personal and political loyalty in appointments to government advisory boards and committees;
    3. Allocating public finds for political advantage;
    4. Public servants’ direct political involvement in campaigning and party activity;
    5. Appointments of those politically aligned but based on merit selection criteria (“meritorious mates”);
    6. Appointments on grounds of equity or ‘representativeness’ in addition to/or even instead of narrow position ‘merit’ criteria;
    7. Public servants serving in ‘political’ roles in developing policy (as distinct from sharing work with ministers);
    8. Development of a ‘responsive’ public service through contractual employment (giving ministers what they want as distinct from what they need);
    9. Expansion of ministerial roles and offices into more and more areas of administration through expansion of ministers’ offices and powers to oversee and supplant public service functions (giving directions, preparation of cabinet submissions, co-ordination).

Hosted by Karla Pincott, What You Need to Know About is the podcast that covers exactly that. Hear from CIS’ experts on the key points of their research, providing you with concise and insightful overviews of complex topics. In each episode, we break down intricate policy issues, economic trends, social challenges, and more, delivering the essential information you need to stay informed in today’s fast-paced world.
Join us as we cut through the noise and dive straight into the heart of matters that shape our society. Whether you’re a policy enthusiast, a curious mind, or just someone looking to grasp the essentials without getting lost in the details, What You Need to Know About is your go-to source for bite-sized yet comprehensive insights.