Chief of staff : the rise of political craft in Westminster democracies / Heath Pickering (Lecturer in Political Science, University of Melbourne, Australia, and Honorary Fellow, KU Leuven Public Governance Institute, Belgium).

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pickering, Heath, author.

Contributor:

Edward Elgar Publishing, publisher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Prime ministers--Staff--Political activity.

Prime ministers.

Political culture.

Cabinet system.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (194 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Northampton : Edward Elgar Publishing, 2025.

Summary:

"Spanning more than three decades, this timely book reveals the pivotal role played by prime ministerial chiefs of staff in shaping modern Westminster democracies. Heath Pickering's comparative analysis sheds light on how these unelected advisors have evolved in purpose, influence and function. Challenging conventional assumptions, Pickering argues that chiefs of staff should be explored through the lens of political craft, illustrating how the rise of politically skilled advisors has strengthened the capacity of executive leadership. He demonstrates the ways in which their growing influence reflects the continued professionalisation of political advisory roles, and the development of an entourage which is better equipped to support leaders. Focusing on the core Westminster democracies of Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, the book outlines how political executives can effectively use their chiefs of staff to improve governance, providing practical recommendations to strengthen the political advisory cohort. Chief of Staff is a vital resource for scholars and students in the fields of political leadership, public administration and management, regulation and governance and public policy. Detailed and comprehensive, it will also greatly benefit policymakers and practitioners in government, particularly political advisors and senior public servants"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Contents: Foreword

1. Chiefs of staff and the art of political craft

2. Defining the chief of staff: From public service to political craft in Westminster democracies

3. Partisan professionals: A demographic analysis of prime ministerial chiefs of staff in westminster democracies

4. Managing, advising, and supporting: Core roles and lessons learned from prime ministerial chiefs of staff in Westminster democracies

5. Stability and instability in Westminster prime ministers' offices: A typology of leadership styles

6. Political craft in practice: Findings, gaps, and policy reforms

Bibliography.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print record.

ISBN:

9781035340187 (e-book)

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.