https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister#Inspirations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister#Inspirations Or, if you dislike comedic form, the Crossman D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister#Inspirations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes_Minister#Inspirations Or, if you dislike comedic form, the Crossman Diaries are insightful in the working of the civil service: http://www.amazon.com/s/?&field-keywords=Richard+Crossman+diaries http://www.amazon.com/s/?&field-keywords=Richard+Crossman+di... We separate "politics" from our bureaucracy. It's quite difficult to, say, fire a civil servant. Don't get me wrong, I think the spoils system was worse. (Hmm, why do I think that...) But the independence of the civil service is intentional. Elected officials and not very effective oversight.