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The Structural and Practical Legacy of an International Civil Service

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Part of the book series: Understanding Governance ((TRG))

Abstract

The ethos of an independent International Civil Service owing loyalty exclusively to the organization spread from the League to the UN system. The functioning of today’s international secretariats and the nature of their management structures can be traced back to the League. The chapter examines such matters as the appointment of staff; the application of staff rules; the oath of office; the League’s experience in marrying the British system of delegated responsibilities with the French-style centralized Cabinet; and the financing of UN organizations. The present balance in responsibilities between governing bodies and secretariats also derives from League practices. The League’s openness to public scrutiny set the tone for the future. UN Secretary-General Hammarskjöld acknowledged Drummond’s influence in building the international secretariat.

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Macfadyen, D., Davies, M.D.V., Carr, M.N., Burley, J. (2019). The Structural and Practical Legacy of an International Civil Service. In: Eric Drummond and his Legacies. Understanding Governance. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04732-0_10

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