The tens of thousands of state officials lord it over virtually every aspect of the lives of Czechs, from the schools, hospitals, theatres and museums they visit, to the businesses and births they register. The local hospital may be grossly mismanaged, but potential patients from the area have to suffer the incompetence of its administrator until Prague decides to replace him. Decisions to build a local service road in far off Horni Marsov must first pass through the hulking Ministry of Transportation on the banks of the Vltava in the nation's capital. Head to the district office for a construction permit. If you live in small village, you will likely have to take half a day off work to make the trip to the district office that handles these matters.
Poor service is possible everywhere.
The difference is that an incompetent mayor or ineffective town council can be dumped at the next local elections. And however far the distance to Prague, at least every four years voters have the chance to make their voices felt at the national level. In contrast to the local mayor and members of Parliament, the state officials responsible for much of what goes on in the Czech Republic are not accountable to anyone but themselves and their superiors in Prague. Such very practical issues have a direct impact on more abstract considerations, not only of political culture but also of social welfare and economic prosperity. Faced by the frustration of having to deal with an impersonal and unresponsive colossus in Prague, citizens have little impetus or encouragement to become actively involved in public affairs.