Civil Servants

[al Roumi]

Here it is almost impossible to fire a Beamter, and in your country I believe it is difficult also difficult to fire high-ranking civil servants especially, but also teachers, for example.

Difficult to fire, yes, but not difficult to move around and ruin their career.

In the UK, civil servants serve. They are meant to be impartial to politics and the government in power. Their objectivity is what aids a smooth (ha) transition of power between governments (unlike the US for example, where a whole swathe of mid/high ranking civil servants are appointed by the government in power).

I utterly refute EMFM's assertion that Civil Servants have as much power as politicians. Some will, by nature of their skill and success gain the ear of ministers in power, but otherwise there is a strict chain of authority where ultimately everything that happens or is approved is done so with a ministers approval or guidance. The elected MPs are those who take decisions, civil servants implement them on their behalf.

Having worked in both private secor and civil service, I am happy to say that both have their advantages and disadvantages. To argue otherwise, or that one is simply better is the height of ignorance and idiocy. Yes, that is intended as potentially insulting.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Difficult to fire, yes, but not difficult to move around and ruin their career.

So they can still maintain a good salary, benefits, and job security. My point exactly.

In the UK, civil servants serve. They are meant to be impartial to politics and the government in power. Their objectivity is what aids a smooth (ha) transition of power between governments (unlike the US for example, where a whole swathe of mid/high ranking civil servants are appointed by the government in power).

I utterly refute EMFM's assertion that Civil Servants have as much power as politicians. Some will, by nature of their skill and success gain the ear of ministers in power, but otherwise there is a strict chain of authority where ultimately everything that happens or is approved is done so with a ministers approval or guidance. The elected MPs are those who take decisions, civil servants implement them on their behalf.

You're right. In theory.

[Watchman]

You're right. In theory.

Elected representatives and the like - you know, politicians - are also supposed to represent the interests of their voters and work for the common good.
In theory.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Elected representatives and the like - you know, politicians - are also supposed to represent the interests of their voters and work for the common good.
In theory.

I didn't say I disagreed with that.