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Difficulty: MediumThe Civil Service: Characteristics, Organization, and Functions

A senior civil servant drafts detailed administrative guidelines for implementing a newly passed healthcare reform. When public debate and criticism arise regarding the implementation strategy, the political minister defends the policy publicly while the civil servant's identity is kept out of public view. Which characteristic of the civil service is best illustrated in this scenario?

  1. AnonymityAnswer
  2. B
    Political neutrality
  3. C
    Permanence
  4. D
    Impartiality

Answer

Anonymity is the civil service principle demonstrated when ministers take public responsibility for policy actions while civil servants remain shielded from public praise or blame.
Anonymity is the doctrine under which civil servants perform their duties without receiving public praise or blame. The minister, as the political head, assumes ministerial responsibility and takes all public accountability.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the scenario details
The civil servant carries out official duties behind the scenes, while the political minister accepts public responsibility and defense of the policy.
Identifying who faces public scrutiny versus who remains undisclosed determines the specific civil service doctrine in effect.
2
Relate the scenario to civil service characteristics
The principle of anonymity dictates that civil servants are not publicly named or held accountable in parliament or the press; political ministers bear full responsibility for government administration.
This convention shields non-partisan career officials from political attacks and maintains administrative continuity.

Key Concept

The Principle of Anonymity in the Civil Service
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Topics

The Civil Service: Characteristics, Organization, and Functions

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