Power Balance Between Ministers And Civil Servants

British Civil Service has always been an important theme in the political arena and much has been written about this institution. Among the various discussions concerning British Home Civil Service, the power relationship between ministers and civil servants remains one of the most controversial and elusive ones. Many factors can affect the relationship, so this thesis focuses on the most salient and objective ones and contends that there is a power balance between ministers and civil servants within a symbiotic relationship defined by Westminster model and affected by many other factors in practice.It is clear that the relationship between ministers and civil servants are of great significance to the smooth running of British government because the two factors exert great influence in government, however, most of the theses concerning British Civil Service and ministers, especially in China at home, tend to discuss ministers and civil servants separately. So this thesis strives to explore the field about the ministerial-civil servants power relationship both in theory and in practice, one that invites discussion and debate as the reforms since the 1970s swept the Civil Service and affected the power balance between ministers and civil servants. Through the analysis of the research conducted by many experts, some biographies of some ministers and civil servants, autobiographies, quotations, instances and the British government and constitution in general, the thesis shows the power balance between ministers and civil servants in practice and in times of change. It argues that though the power division is flexible and not always in strict accordance with the ideal one described by the Westminster model, it remains one of interdependent, even in times of reforms. And such balance helps the government run the country and ensures the stability of government's policies.This thesis concentrates on the power relationship between ministers and civil servants. Firstly, the establishment of the modern Civil Service is introduced and the basic relationship and division of powers and duties between ministers and civil servants discussed. Then the thesis analyses how a power balance is achieved within the confines of Westminster model and in practice. Lastly, the thesis discusses the latest development brought in by Civil Service reforms and analyses the impact on the power relationship between ministers and civil servants.At the end of the thesis, a conclusion is drawn that though various factors may affect the power balance, as long as the Westminster model stays unchallenged the basic ministerial-civil servant relationship will remain indivisible and interdependent. And such relationship is necessary in maintaining a balance between short-time and long-time, change and continuity in government policies.