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Presidential Politicization of the Executive Branch in the United States

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Executive Politics in Times of Crisis

Part of the book series: The series ((EXPOLGOV))

Abstract

The administrative apparatus of the modern state exists in an uncomfortable position in democratic governance. For democratic government to be accountable it must be responsive to elected politicians. For it to be effective, however, the bureaucracy should often be insulated from political intervention. Democratic governments worldwide have chosen to insulate some administrative activity from politics in a number of ways, from designing independent central banks to enacting detailed civil service statutes. For example, government workers in most modern developed democracies are protected by law, regulation and norms from politically motivated work changes, demotions or firing. Democratic governments provide this insularity to induce government workers to make a career of government work and invest their time and resources in acquiring costly expertise that will lead to more effective administration of government.

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Authors
  1. David E. Lewis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Government, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

    Martin Lodge (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy) (Professor of Political Science and Public Policy)

  2. Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, Germany

    Kai Wegrich (Professor of Public Policy and Administration) (Professor of Public Policy and Administration)

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© 2012 David E. Lewis

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Lewis, D.E. (2012). Presidential Politicization of the Executive Branch in the United States. In: Lodge, M., Wegrich, K. (eds) Executive Politics in Times of Crisis. The Executive Politics and Governance series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137010261_3

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