Abstract
Before 2002, the Hong Kong higher civil servants were required to play the dual role of quasi-ministers and civil servants. In such a context, can we make sense of the claim that its civil service has all along be politically neutral? What role has neutrality played in the governance of Hong Kong? Informed by Kernaghan’s model of political neutrality and Oakeshott's idea of civil association, this paper tries to argue that the public service should not be regarded solely as an effective instrument of the government in power. In conclusion, this paper proposes some institutional measures to strengthen the neutrality principle in Hong Kong and argues that properly understood, it will help prevent excessive or illegitimate partisan political power.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the International Conference on Accountability and Public Governance |
| Pages | 2.3.1-2.3.18 |
| Publication status | Published - 8 May 2008 |
| Event | International Conference on Accountability and Public Governance - Taipei, Taiwan Duration: 8 May 2008 → 8 May 2008 |
Conference
| Conference | International Conference on Accountability and Public Governance |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Taiwan |
| City | Taipei |
| Period | 8/05/08 → 8/05/08 |
Research Keywords
- Political Neutrality
- Public Service
- Accountability
- Principal Official Accountability System
- Civil Association