Encyklopedia Administracji Publicznej MW Pivot Skin

PARTY-DEPENDENCE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (excessive politicization) - excessive interference of politicians in the functioning of public administration. Party-dependence of public administration means the replacement of substantive criteria for recruitment, selection, promotion, awards and disciplinary penalties – with political criteria. Characteristic for party-dependent public administration lack of stable employment not only means a lack of job security, a lack of protection against the loss of employment, but also the ease with which corruption is imposed. The phenomenon of party-dependence of the administration according to Barbara Kudrycka occurs in at least three cases: when the number of people with political support increases, when new political or advisory bodies are appointed in the administration and when the authority does not work for the public interest, but is directed to the interests of the party. The effect of excessive politicization is also the establishment of a policy oriented more towards the performance of the interests of the ruling party than to the common good. Governance in the case of excessive party-dependence is equalled with the system of patronage, political spoils in which the public administration is the most important goal, the prize that belongs to the election winners. The pathological politicization is joined by the concept of party nomenclature, which signifies the merging of the party apparatus with the state apparatus by appointing to the official posts persons indicated and supported by the political party, often performing party functions. Persons employed as a result of political intervention, according to Jan Boć, are generally not interested in public service, need not have the knowledge, skills and qualifications, but only be obedient to the party that directed them to work. As a consequence, the party-dependence of administration concerns also other activities, including those of substantial character (→ political neutrality) [ J. Itrich-Drabarek ].

Literature: J. Boć, Administracja a obywatel [Administration and the citizen], [in:] Administracja publiczna [Public administration], ed. A. Błaś, J. Boć, J. Jeżewski, Warszawa 2003 ■ J. Itrich-Drabarek, Służba cywilna w Polsce – teoria i praktyka [The Civil Service in Poland – theory and practice], Warszawa 2012.