| Abstract: | This article compares two approaches to administrative reform. The first, the traditional approach, relies on the generation of a reform blueprint by an autonomous commission made up of non-bureaucrats. The second and more recent approach relies instead on a small unit often staffed by civil servants and reporting directly to the highest political authorities. The new approach offers reformers the flexibility needed to circumvent opposition yet achieve rapid results: an advantage essential to successful reform, yet signally lacking in the traditional approach. This is amply borne out by case studies from Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The administrative reform commission may now be an obsolete instrument. |
