Governance of Public Sector Organizations: The Politics- administration Dichotomy Revisited

Abstract: Since the very earliest research in the public sector field, the dichotomy politics and administration has been systematically studied by academic researchers. The principal-agent model prevails as the dominant theory of the political control of the bureaucracy literature while the bureaucratic responsiveness concept and the institutional politicization theory offer some further explanations. This article is focused on the intersection of the two spheres and builds on previous research around their dynamic contact. More specifically it tries to unveil modes and actors of political control and influence that is exercised over the bureaucratic body. Two key mechanism are examined: politically appointed personnel that is positioned in the highest echelons of management (a form of direct political control) and the informal influence that advisors and committees have over the bureaucracy.

Key words: public governance, autonomy, politics-administration dichotomy, political control and influence

JEL codes: H