Discussion. troisième journée
Authors: Meyers François , Denkovic Dragos , Bodiguel Jean-Luc , Schnur Roman , Mascard Jean , De Baecque Francis , Siedentopf H. 
Published: November 2010

DISCUSSION — 3nd day.

The third day of the seminar chaired by Mr. Mascard was devoted to "Man's Adaption".

At the outset Mr. Mascard proposed the debates should bear directly on the two main questions arising out of this subject — procedures for personnel affiliation and professional improvement or recycling.

Messrs. Meyers and Denkovic then briefly presented their reports and made some additional remarks.

Mr. Meyers voiced his uneasiness in treating such a subject, in view of certain considerations: one, because he is among the few participants who practice, and two, because of the methods employed. Having employed a vocabulary for numerous questionnaires which was adapted to the countries, he feared that more fundamental realities were hidden behind certain responses. In addition, since the French reply was returned late, he was concerned that an important effort with regard to perfecting skills, existing outside the traditional structures, might have been neglected.

He also questioned the choice of the methods destined to correct the effects of regulations for training and selection which tend to become sclerotic in most countries. He observed the absence of cohesion in the measures taken; for, although greater flexibility is indispensable in the face of new needs, defined doctrine and policy are equally necessary. It is to be feared namely, in the case of perfecting skills that good intentions obscure general policy.

Mr. Denkovic first drew attention to the role of civil service in the socialist countries and elucidated its main features: searching for the general interest, guarantying citizens' rights, establishing a set standard of living. He then briefly resumed the principles governing the choice of civil servants and the different factors taken into consideration for appointment to a given post. The problems touched upon in this general report were developed in the course of the debate by the participants of other socialist countries. Hence, Messrs. Starosciak, Stjepanovic, Popovic, Kostadinov and Vintu supplied details concerning the systems in vigor in Poland, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Rumania respectively and answered numerous questions from the floor.

Messrs. Schnur and Siedentopf gave examples of the solutions applied in Federal Germany.

As for France, Messrs. Bodiguel, de Baecque and Bocognano each presented the topic of the day from a different angle.

Mr. Bodiguel described a study on the career of graduates from the National School of Administration, questioning the role and importance of political influence in the promotion of civil servants. In his opinion there is an undeniable influence, which although it cannot be evaluated with precisions, would not be as important as it is sometimes said to be.

Mr. Mascard underlined the interest surrounding the question of political influence and its basic importance in the socialist countries. Mr. Rybicki indicated that at a certain period (during the years following the installation of the socialist regime) political influence was the determining factor in Poland.

Mr. de Baecque examined the possibilities of adaptation and perfection in civil service, the impediment constituted by security of employment and the inherent risks of inadaptation. He favored adapting civil servants to their employment through the creation of enlarged corps and the establishment of equilibrium between initial training (often costly) and on-the-job training.

Mr. Bocognano made a brief inventory of the different methods for recycling within the administration, with which he has experimented, exposing their advantages and disadvantages.

In conclusion Mr. Rybicki stated his satisfaction to note that knowledge of judicial, administrative and political problems had progressed in the European countries during the course of the past years. Explaining practices does not suffice, they must also be subjected to influence and improvement. Unity in Marxist principles does not solve practical problems. He therefore, considered that a general discussion between different socialist countries would be desirable.

He also expressed his satisfaction with the atmosphere in which the seminar had taken place.

Mr. Molitor insisted there should have been more time to discuss the very broad and varied questions brought up during the seminar. He suggested that in the future topics should be more limited in scope and that the manner in which they were to be treated should be set forth in advance.

Mr. Bauchet, after having recalled the importance of Administrative Science, proposed the participation of the C.N.R.S. in future studies. He also approved the multiplication, of direct personal contact, the organization of specialized round tables and furthering the publication of studies relative to this field.

Y. FORTIN