Above Politics: Bureaucratic Discretion and Credible Commitment

ISBN-13: 9781107401310 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 274 str.

Gary J. Miller; Andrew Whitford

Opis

Economic development requires secure contract enforcement and stable property rights. Normal majority-rule politics, such as bargaining over distributive and monetary policies, generate instability and frequently undermine economic development. Above Politics argues that bureaucracies can contribute to stability and economic development, but only if they are insulated from unstable politics. A separation-of-powers stalemate creates the conditions for bureaucratic autonomy. But what keeps delegated bureaucrats from being more abusive as they become more autonomous? One answer is the negotiation of long-term, cooperative relationships - that (when successful) typically bind subordinates to provide more effort in exchange for autonomy. Even more compelling is professionalism, which embeds its professional practitioners in professional norms and culture, and incidentally mitigates corruption. Financial examples are provided throughout the book, which ends with an analysis of the role played by professionalized bureaucracies during the Great Recession.

Recenzje

'This theory-based, theory-driven work masterfully weaves analyses and examples that help demonstrate myriad ways bureaucracies can provide stability to government while enhancing economic development - as long as they are permitted to operate as they need to - while politicians (and the public) regularly question whether bureaucrats are neutral while gaining autonomy … Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals.' W. Miller, Choice

Spis treści

1. Introduction; 2. The moral hazard of bureaucrats and politicians; 3. Political moral hazard and credible commitment; 4. Political moral hazard and bureaucratic autonomy; 5. 'Above politics': the separation of powers and bureaucratic autonomy; 6. The control paradox, trust, and leadership; 7. Professionalism and credible commitment; 8. The politicization of financial regulation; 9. The financial crisis and reregulation; 10. Conclusion.