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

During a technical briefing on economic policy, a senior civil servant presents detailed data advising a Minister against a proposed tariff policy. After the Minister decides to proceed with the policy despite the advice, the civil servant loyally implements the directive while keeping the internal disagreement confidential from the public and media. Which pair of civil service principles is demonstrated by the officer's actions?

  1. Political neutrality and anonymityAnswer
  2. B
    Partisan loyalty and political commitment
  3. C
    Total exclusion from policy advice and formulation
  4. D
    Collective cabinet responsibility and parliamentary privilege

Answer

Political neutrality and anonymity
The scenario highlights two foundational civil service tenets: political neutrality, which allows career officials to offer objective policy guidance regardless of political stance, and anonymity, which requires officials to execute decisions behind the scenes while the political head of the ministry takes public and parliamentary responsibility.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the official's internal role during policy formulation
The officer provides frank, objective, technical advice based on empirical data rather than partisan interests.
Civil servants are responsible for assisting ministers with expert advice during the policy formulation stage.
2
Analyze the official's external behavior during policy implementation
The officer implements the final ministerial decision faithfully without publicly criticizing it or defending personal views.
Under the principle of anonymity, the political head (Minister) accepts public credit or blame, protecting permanent civil servants from political controversy.
3
Synthesize the combined principles governing the conduct
The combination of non-partisan expert service (neutrality) and working behind the scenes without public exposure (anonymity) defines the civil service code of conduct.
These core characteristics ensure administrative continuity across changing political administrations.

Key Concept

Civil Service Neutrality and Anonymity
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Topics

The Civil Service: Characteristics, Organization, and Functions

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