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Public voices from anonymous corridors: The public face of the public service in a W estminster system
Author(s) -
Grube Dennis
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
canadian public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.361
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1754-7121
pISSN - 0008-4840
DOI - 10.1111/capa.12001
Subject(s) - bureaucracy , face (sociological concept) , anonymity , public administration , public service , political science , public relations , public authority , service (business) , government (linguistics) , politics , sociology , law , business , marketing , social science , linguistics , philosophy
Under the traditions of the W estminster system, prime ministers and ministers give countless public speeches each year, while their loyal public service quietly and anonymously carries out the daily business of public administration. Current practice suggests that this traditional picture no longer holds true. In the 21st century, bureaucratic leaders are prepared to give public speeches on their own authority – adopting a “public face” as contributors to public debate. This article examines the extent to which key bureaucratic leaders in C anada have adopted an independent public face through public speeches, and how the C anadian experience compares to other W estminster jurisdictions. It argues that contemporary C anadian practice has taken a middle road between independent policy advocacy and quiet anonymity.