The Hidden Dynamics of Ministries: Beyond Formal Structures
December 29, 2024
Following a discussion about the formal organization of ministries, one recurring reaction stood out: the acknowledgment of informal organization—a factor often more influential than the formal structure itself. While ministries are not as mysterious as they might seem, citizens and civil servants frequently perceive their operations as opaque. In practice, the official framework often blurs, leading to inefficiency and weakened governance.
The root of the problem lies in a lack of understanding of the legal and administrative foundations that regulate ministries. Unlike private organizations, where owners and shareholders set the course, government institutions are bound by laws and regulations to ensure clarity and transparency. Despite this, the government is often seen as impenetrable, primarily because these basic principles are poorly understood or applied.
Government time is generally divided as follows:
50% on implementing laws and regulations,
40% on oversight and enforcement, and
10% on analyzing societal developments and shaping new policies.
However, this balance is frequently disrupted. Policy directors and secretaries-general often lack the knowledge or competence needed to uphold their roles effectively. Without strong leadership, the structural backbone of ministries falters.
A significant challenge is the dominance of informal dynamics over the formal organization. Strategic policy (the "red lines") is often overshadowed by operational execution (the "blue lines"), a phenomenon exacerbated by political interference. Ministers and their staff, who operate outside the formal hierarchy, wield disproportionate influence. This undermines not only the autonomy of line officials but also the integrity of policymaking.
Secretaries-general and policy directors must reclaim their roles as guardians of strategic policy. Their primary task is to ensure that laws and regulations are executed properly and that government actions serve the collective good—not individual or political interests. This requires resisting undue operational and political interference.
One factor contributing to the erosion of formal structures is the appointment of interim secretaries-general. Since 2010, these annual contracts have turned SGs into temporary figures, heavily dependent on ministerial approval to retain their positions. This undermines their ability to act independently and reinforces a culture of compliance rather than accountability.
Policy directors report feeling powerless and reduced to subordinate roles. An ex-minister noted that policymaking has increasingly given way to populism, weakening the government's ability to serve the collective interest.
The functioning of ministries is legally defined to ensure transparency and consistency. Yet, poor adherence to these principles erodes trust in government. Restoring accountability and strict compliance with legal frameworks is essential to rebuild this trust.
To achieve this, those within the system must understand their responsibilities and act accordingly. Secretaries-general and policy directors must safeguard strategic policies and prevent operational and political interference from taking over. Only then can the government function as intended: transparent, efficient, and focused on the collective good.
Miguel Goede
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