Civil Service
Definition
The civil service is a sector of government composed mainly of career bureaucrats hired on professional merit rather than appointed or elected, whose institutional tenure typically survives transitions of political leadership.
Analogy
Think of the civil service as the engine in a car. While the driver (the elected official) may change, the engine remains consistent and keeps the car running smoothly.
Related terms
Bureaucracy: A system of government in which most decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
Public Administration: The implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for working in public service.
Merit System: A system of hiring and promotion based on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.
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