The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press) ReviewThis book was an outgrowth of a conference at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (interested in public administration). It deals with a difficult practical question. How effective was the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act - seen 20 years in hindsight? That Act was the first major reform since the passage of the original Pendleton Act of 1883, which set up the system of appointment of federal employees according to merit, not patronage.
Passed during the Carter administration, the act was primarily addressed to make government more streamlined and work better. It abolished the Civil Service Commission, replacing it with the Office of Personnel Management and Merit Systems Protection Board. Among other things, it introduced merit pay for managers, created the Senior Executive Service, and introduced commitment to equal employment opportunity and social representation.
The book consists of chapters by cooperating scholars, that reviews the history of experience since 1978, and cites polls of senior executives and political policymakers of both parties, as well as much other data. After serious early problems better ways of managing the system were instituted. These smoothed operations. Under the even-handed analysis of the authors, I do not discern that the "reforms" achieved their intended goals. My own experience in the federal government also suggests that things have gotten worse instead of better - but that is partly due to the overall influence of partisan politics that has reached a historic peak in the past thirty years.
For those seeking an informative, well referenced, and fair exploration of how federal employees - and especially senior managers - are hired, promoted, and managed, I can't think of a better place to start than editors Pfiffner and Brook's book. Both are political scientists at George Mason University.
Finally, I can't help citing one extraordinary quote from James Madison (in Hugh Heclo's chapter):
"I have observed that gentlemen suppose that the general legislature will do every mischief they possibly can, and that they will omit to do every thing good which they are authorized to do. If this were a reasonable supposition, their objections would be good. I consider it reasonable to conclude that they will as readily do their duty, as deviate from it; Nor do I go on the ground mentioned by gentlemen on the other side - that we are to place unlimited confidence in them and expect nothing but the most exalted integrity and sublime virtue.
But I go on this great republican principle, that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks - no form of government can render us secure......."
I wish we had more Madisons now when we badly need them.The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press) Overview

Want to learn more information about The Future of Merit: Twenty Years after the Civil Service Reform Act (Woodrow Wilson Center Press)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now