Political Management in Canada

Paul G. Thomas is a political science professor at the University of
Manitoba.

Politicians, public servants, academics, and interested members of the
public should read this book to gain valuable insights into the policy
and administrative processes of government. The format of the book is a
dialogue between Allan Blakeney, former premier of Saskatchewan, and
Sandford Borins, a recognized authority on public management. Blakeney
was one of the best practitioners in Canadian history of the art of
political management. He had thought more deeply than most politicians
about the crucial importance of the political-administrative partnership
to successful government, and his government built upon the record of
previous CCF/NDP governments in terms of structural and procedural
innovations.

Borins creatively blends his extensive knowledge of management theory
and practice into a conversation with the former premier about the
legitimate and effective use of political power and public resources.
The organizing theme for the book is “the speech,” a reference to
the talk given many times by Blakeney concerning the most appropriate
relationship between politicians and public servants. Cabinet ministers,
Blakeney insisted, should not see themselves as administrators. Instead
they should concentrate on contributing to policy development within
cabinet, and on explaining policy to the bureaucracy, interest groups,
and the public. Deputy ministers and other senior officials were there
to operate the departments. They needed to be politically aware, but
their principal contribution was professional managerial skill. This
theme is developed in chapters dealing with cabinet operations, central
agencies, deputy ministers, the budget process, crown corporations,
intergovernmental relations, the media, and transitions in office.

Despite what many would take to be dry topics, the book is very
readable—it even has flashes of humor—and filled with valuable
insights.