Defining Bureaucratic Autonomy

In political science, one issue still in need of greater theorizing is the proper measurement bureaucratic autonomy, that is, degree discretion principals should grant to agents. This article reviews literature on autonomy both US administrative law and science. It uses American experience define five mechanisms by which limit then goes survey comparative other democratic systems using framework as a baseline. Other democracies use different mixtures these mechanisms, for example substituting stronger ex post review ante procedures or appointment removal power place either. We find social science literatures this topic approach it very differently, each would profit from awareness discipline.