Comparative observations on tensions between professional policy advice and political control in the Low Countries

Abstract

In politico-administrative relations, there is an always-existing tension between professional policy advice and political control. In this article, we would like to focus on this tension from a comparative perspective. The Netherlands and Belgium have broadly similar state institutions; they vary considerably as to the way in which professional policy advice is combined with political control. The Dutch case is traditionally characterized by a strong involvement of the civil service in the production of policy advice, whereas the Belgian civil service is traditionally marginalized in the policy formulation process. In this article, we shall argue that despite increased pressures towards convergence between both countries the actual balancing of professional policy advice and political control remains path dependent.