ABSTRACT
Irrespective of the precise relationship between their executive, judicial and legislative branches, modem liberal democracies require a body of permanent officials to assist the elected leaders of the day in the formulation, presentation and execution of their policies. Excepting the small body of officials, such as ombudsmen, whose permanence is grounded in judicial or quasi-judicial responsibilities, the need for a permanent executive body or civil service stems, of course, from the complexity and size of the tasks undertaken on behalf of elected governments. The greater the complexity and number, the larger the permanent body. The extent of the assistance offered varies between liberal democracies, within them over time and between the spheres of policy formation, presentation and execution.
