Abstract
This chapter deals with the profile and policy work of policy bureaucrats (PBs) in the Czech Republic ministries - the most prominent organizations of central public administration. It draws on data from survey among the officials of eleven ministries in 2013 (N = 1351).
For better interpretation, the data are sometimes contrasted with findings from survey on regional PBs. First, we describe the role of ministries in overall governance system of the Czech Republic.
Second, we describe profile of ministerial PBs in terms of age, education and previous experience. Third, we analyze policy-related tasks.
It is shown that ministerial PBs are more involved in analytical tasks than regional PBs. In contrast, they are less likely to implement policies or programs, direct and monitor programs or lower-level bodies, negotiate with elected politicians, communicate with citizens and provide methodological guidance, train or lecture.
Contrary to our theoretical expectations, we found a strong positive correlation between analytical and communication tasks. Analytical tasks thus are not at odds with negotiating and communication.
Instead, it is concluded that most officials are "multitaskers".