Syria’s in-efficient secret

Syria’s in-efficient secret:

            In his in depth analysis of the British Parliament between 1850 to 1870, political analyst Gary Cox discovered what he called the “efficiency secret” in governments.  Cox defines this secret as the “nearly complete fusion of the executive and legislative powers.” Cox discovers that in the latter end of the 1800s, the British Parliament drastically increased power to the Cabinet.  Other government institutions gradually diminished their power and importance. 

            As a result, Britain’s Cabinet achieved more policy implementation than ever before.  Party discipline rose, MP policies driven by pork incentives decreased, and a party oriented electorate formed.  In essence, regional representation was replaced by a centralized power system.  This, therefore, allowed higher efficiency within the Cabinet.  Policies set forth by the majority party could be passed quicker than ever before.

            A dictatorship is the ultimate example of the “efficient secret.”  By nature of its position, a tyrant naturally has near-complete fusion of legislative and executive power.  In other words, what the dictator wants goes.  Interestingly enough, Syria’s dictatorship is an exception to this general rule.

            Syria is an exception because President (Syria is democratic in name only) Bashar al-Assad has continually stumbled with attempts at policy implementation.  One specific reason muddles the efficiency of Assad’s dictatorship: internal regime discord. 

A recent article from the International Crisis Group stated, “Many [government] decisions witness a contest between various lines of thought that coexist within the regime, each reflecting a slightly different worldview, diverging private interests or personal rivalries.” As Assad’s cabinet continues to bicker, their efficiency decreases.  Competing, powerful interests destroy Assad’s iron fist.  In essence, Assad deals with internal regime discord with many crucial decisions. 

ICG continues, “Further confusion arises from the fact that officials occasionally take initiatives or make pronouncements that are inconsistent with the authorized line – in an attempt to influence it; as a means of drawing attention to themselves; in order to express frustration; or, quite simply, out of ignorance.”

            Because of his in-efficient cabinet, President Assad will promise and not deliver.  This is the root cause of their current rebellion. 

On a side note, some believe that Syria’s in-efficiency is actually a calculated ploy to remain in power.  They believe Assad’s cabinet is perfectly able to pass policy through the necessary red tape.  Thus, the cabinet could be more calculated than they appear, by cunningly deciding to “stumble” in the system in order to avoid democratic policy implementation.

           

Whitaker, Brian. “When is a dictator not a dictator?” guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/18/dicator-syria-bah

Cox, The Efficient Secret. 1987. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press