Strengthening administrative machinery

Byadmin

Dated

April 30, 2022

Strengthening administrative machinery

Editorial

The current political turmoil has rendered the Strengthening administrative machinery viability of the state almost dysfunctional. There appears to be no visible administrative presence in the country as is witnessed by the spiraling inflation and spreads out to almost lawlessness on the streets. This is a matter of serious concern when viewed in the backdrop of the fact in the modern world administrative machinery of a state is rated to be utmost important part of a system of government. It is usually considered synonymous with the terms of the ends it is intended to serve, particularly in terms of the results which are to be accomplished by any political dispensation. Moreover, the administrative machinery is expected to perform in tune with the basic philosophy of the state and in the long term it is considered discharging its responsibilities towards such ends through the tenets of the substantive law.
This implies that the administrative machinery is much more than a tool for the implementation of a political ideology and that it is an integral part of each political ideology and ultimately it becomes part of a system of government. This is a crucial role assigned to any administrative apparatus as it is now observed that any system of government is composed of the sum total of its political and philosophical principles and the administrative machinery established for their effectuation. The democratic system of government includes not only such principles as that government is based on the consent of the governed, that the individual is the basis of all legitimate governmental authority and that the dignity of the individual must be preserved but also the fundamental administrative procedural machinery to implement these principles.
In this context it follows that a system of government cannot be considered as a democratic system, even though its theoretical foundation may resemble unless it is not accompanied by administrative machinery for the realisation of the principles. The distinguishing feature between modern democratic government and governments of the past is that the modern dispensations are based on democratic principles and the establishment of procedures for administrative machinery for governing according to the tenets of democracy. It is therefore repeatedly asserted that the real contribution of modern democracy is not in the development of new principles, or even the adherence to substantive law but rather in the development of procedural law pertaining to the implementation of broad philosophical principles with concrete administrative machinery. This aspect defines the prevailing notion of due process of law concept that has become the very foundation of democratic government and all aspects associated with it and are widely recognised as the standard governance process.
This development is the direct offshoot of the prolonged struggle against the arbitrariness of the rulers as the past system of governance entailed and their rule became identified in the popular mind with absolutism. It was in this backdrop that the importance of an alignment of administration with nuances of the procedural aspect was emphasised upon. It was accordingly noted that the statesmen responsible for this conjunction placed the substance of the settlement ahead of the procedure by which it was achieved. It was accordingly brought to fore that constitutional government consists in a determination of the citizens of the state that adherence to the procedures set forth in the constitution are required to be treated as more important than any demand or reform. It was therefore succinctly observed that what matters is the determination to place procedures ahead of substance so that proper governance takes place.
It is therefore imperative to recognise that the basic structure and constitutional framework of the state is equally true with regard to procedures and administrative machinery for effective implementation of routine decisions and appropriate legislation. The details of such administrative procedures pertain to bring about social legislations applicable to general welfare measures legitimising the authority of the administrative machinery. An effective as well as popular government has value only when based on liberal legislation supported by administrative machinery particularly when the administrative set-up acts in unison with the political dispensation. It must be kept in view that the nature of the administrative machinery is resultantly seen to be as important as, if not more important than, the nature of the underlying principles of government. Democratic government means democracy in administration and prefers open expression of issues they assign the administrative machinery and expect healthy debates. They always look forward to the administration assiduously executing legislation with adequate democratic intentions and once such implementation takes place then it adds to the prestige of the political executive. It is precisely clear therefore that no principles of government can fulfill the aspirations of the people that are devoid of democratic administrative machinery and repeatedly fail the state and its people. TW

Read More

Share

MOST READ
The writ of international law
The writ of international law
M Ali Siddiqi looks at a crucial...
Resurgence of fascism
Resurgence of fascism
M Ali Siddiqi describes a dangerous...
President Xi Jinping
XI on his way to ruling China for life
M Ali Siddiqi talks about apparent...
Governance and equitable distribution of resources
Governance and equitable distribution of resources
M Ali Siddiqi talks about Governance...
The Need For Pakistan
The Need For Pakistan
M A Siddiqi expresses surprise...
The Presence And Essence Of Pakistaniat
The Presence And Essence Of Pakistaniat
M Ali Siddiqi describes a strong...

Get Newsletters

Career

Subscribe Us