Compare Germany before and after the Civil Service Reform Law of 1997. How did the civil servants react? Why?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The German civil service is based on the concept of the “rule-of-law state” that transcends divisive political divisions and acts in the name of all citizens on the basis of administrative law. After WWII, the system was decentralized to put the focus on the regional and local civil service. The German federal bureaucracy is thus relatively small, with the bulk of civil service in the 16 states and local governments. The foundations of German service are designed to make public service the most highly respected profession. After the Civil Service Reform Law (key tenets in Exhibit 1.14), there was a huge resistance to these reforms by civil servants. Civil servants used to generous salaries and benefits, as well as clear guidelines about promotion and pay, rebelled against performance-based outcomes and probationary periods, and the elimination of their traditional “thirteenth month” paycheck and reduction in pensions. Basically, these civil servants were used to a codified administrative law that did not easily adapt to reforms that emphasize autonomy and creativity. They were already receiving very generous benefits and salaries in the current system. Many felt these reforms were not advantageous to them.