Policy analysis and policy work in the central public administration

Abstract

Abstract This chapter deals with the profile and policy work of policy bureaucrats in the Czech Republic ministries – the most prominent organizations of central public administration. It draws on data from a survey among the officials of eleven ministries in 2013 (N = 1351). For better interpretation, the data are sometimes contrasted with findings from a survey on regional policy bureaucrats. First, we describe the role of ministries in the overall governance system of the Czech Republic. Second, we describe the profile of ministerial policy bureaucrats in terms of age, education and previous experience. Third, we analyse policy-related tasks. Contrary to theoretical expectations, we found a strong positive correlation between analytical and communication tasks. Analytical tasks thus are not at odds with negotiating and communication. Instead, it is concluded that most officials are ’multitaskers’.