Bureaucratic Power and Whistle-Blowers
Elite Theory of Power Elite Theory Elite Theory the difference between the appearance and the reality of power the difference between the appearance and the reality of power “ the elite ” and “ the mass ” “ the elite ” and “ the mass ”
The Significance of Bureaucratic Power changes of the role of Australian government changes of the role of Australian government increased executive power in: increased executive power in: financial deregulation financial deregulation the privatization and corporatization of public service the privatization and corporatization of public service the end of centralized wage fixing the end of centralized wage fixing cuts in the size of the public sector and the sale of public assets cuts in the size of the public sector and the sale of public assets
Bureaucracy vs Citizenship Contradictions in Ministerial — Head of Department relationship Contradictions in Ministerial — Head of Department relationship “ Servants of Power ” or appointed (non-elected) Heads of Department? “ Servants of Power ” or appointed (non-elected) Heads of Department? policy or administrative decision-making? policy or administrative decision-making? Examples Examples crime and justice crime and justice environmental policy environmental policy
The Bureaucratic Ascendancy Pluralist or Elite? Pluralist or Elite? composition of Elite groups composition of Elite groups three core groups three core groups not an entire elite group not an entire elite group “ economic rationalism ” “ economic rationalism ” Sol Encel: The search for equality of the redistributive kind breeds bureaucracy; bureaucracy breeds authority; and authority undermines the equality which bred it.
Recent changes in ministerial / bureaucratic relationships Recent changes in ministerial / bureaucratic relationships Democracy or bureaucracy? Democracy or bureaucracy? removable senior public servants and Department Heads removable senior public servants and Department Heads public service responsive to the government public service responsive to the government shift of the balance of power to the Ministers shift of the balance of power to the Ministers whistle-blowing in bureaucracies whistle-blowing in bureaucracies
Whistle-blowers and bureaucratic responses Whistle-blowers and bureaucratic responses examples of whistle blowing in Australian public service or private sector examples of whistle blowing in Australian public service or private sector “ whistle blower syndrome ” “ whistle blower syndrome ” result of whistle blowing result of whistle blowing
Whistle blowing and Pluralism / Elitism debate Whistle blowing and Pluralism / Elitism debate influence of the Elite Theory of power influence of the Elite Theory of power reflection of the Pluralists ’ democratic view reflection of the Pluralists ’ democratic view 2004 Australian Compliance Institute Report on Whistle-blowing 2004 Australian Compliance Institute Report on Whistle-blowing