The U.s. Civil Service Reform And Its Implications

The United States is one of the western countries with relatively mature civil service systems, whose civil service system has a history of more than one hundred years since the Pendleton Act (Civil Service Reform Act) of 1883.As time changes,various problems have been found in US civil service system,such as cumbersome classification of positions,over complicated employment procedures,and promotions emphasizing seniority,which make this system rigid and inflexible. Since 1980s,influenced by the 'New Public Administration Movement' the civil service system of US federal government has undergone a series of reforms and some improvements have been achieved.The main measures in the reform include granting administration jurisdiction to lower levels,implementing flexible administration,improving performance management,etc.,which reflect the trends of reform and development in the civil service systems of western countries.The civil service system in China has a short history of less then twenty years.It is also faced with the challenges of the new round of revolution under the same international background of western countries,as well as driving forces in domestic political and economical reforms.Considering the immaturity of the system itself,further revolution and improvements are urgent.This thesis tries to study the main measures in the civil service system reform in the United States and use them as reference in the study of the Chinese way of reform in its civil service system.The first part of the thesis explains the relevant concepts of civil ervice system,and analyzes the main characteristics of civil service systems in western countries.The second part introduces the development of US civil service system.The third part analyzes the background,principles and contents of the civil service system reform in the United States since 1970s,and summarizes the key points of the reform.The forth part researches the challenges in front of Chinese civil service system.The fifth part studies the feasibility of adopting US reform options in China based on ecology of public administration,and analyzes the difference in public administration environment in the two countries.It is then pointed out that US reform experiences shall not be adopted blindly in China.Selective reference of US experiences in civil service system reform shall be made based on the reality of China.The sixth part proposes suggestions on the Chinese civil service system regarding improvement of motivation mechanism,competence of service,and morality.