wk 4

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on democracy, steering vs. rowing, and New Public Management.

Steering

Setting broad policy direction and outcomes without micromanaging day-to-day implementation.

Rowing

Carrying out day-to-day policy implementation and operations.

Separation of powers

A constitutional principle dividing power among branches to prevent abuse; also applied within the executive to limit ministerial interference.

Arms-length principle

The concept that certain public bodies operate independently from elected officials while remaining accountable.

Crown corporations

Government-owned entities insulated from political interference and treated as separate from ordinary government departments.

Bank of Canada independence

An example of an arm's-length relationship where the government cannot directly direct its day-to-day actions, though the government remains responsible for overall policy.

New Public Management (NPM)

A reform approach that creates arms-length departments, uses performance contracts, and treats government as purchaser of services rather than provider.

New Zealand model

A prominent practitioner of NPM, emphasizing performance contracts and minister-department autonomy with accountability.

Performance contract

An agreement between a minister and department head outlining objectives and measurable benchmarks; the minister is responsible for terms and results.

Government as purchaser

Under NPM, the government buys services from departments and acts as a demanding customer, rather than directly providing all services.

Limited government

Power derived from the people should be divided, diluted, and bounded by rules to prevent concentration.

Deep State

A term for unelected elites or gatekeepers perceived as resisting elected leaders and obstructing democratic governance.