The Federal Civil Service System and the Problem of Bureaucracy: The Economics and Politics of Institutional Change (National Bureau of Economic ... on Long-Term Factors in Economic Development) - Softcover

Johnson, Ronald N.; Libecap, Gary D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0226401715 ISBN 13: 9780226401713

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1994

Synopsis

The call to "reinvent government"—to reform the government bureaucracy of the United States—resonates 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.

About this title

Synopsis

Examining the political and economic forces that have shaped the civil service system from the Pendleton Act of 1883 through today, the authors explain why, despite efforts to overhaul the federal bureaucracy (most recently by Vice President Al Gore), significant change remains a formidable challenge. Although politicians criticize the unwieldiness of the bureaucracy, this volume shows how they have been largely responsible for its design. The authors examine the development of federal employee interest groups and their negotiations with the president and Congress over hiring policies, salaries and conditions for terminating employment. Using transaction cost analysis and public choice theory, this book aims to provide a new understanding of the growth of the federal bureaucracy and the political and economic obstacles to reforming it.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0226401715
• ISBN 13: 9780226401713
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 239