Abstract
The recent work by Michael Howlett and others has clearly demonstrated that different "policy advisory systems" (PAS) exist and that what analysts do depends in part on the type of this system. However, the empirical evidence so far has been limited to "Western democracies".
The paper thus broadens the coverage of PAS analyses and examines the advice system in the Czech Republic. The core of the system has traditionally consisted of many policy research organizations owned by the state while other organizations have not played almost any role in advice giving.
The system, however, is currently under profound changes, partly because the rise of New Public Management ideas in the region as well as the fiscal stress that leads to contracting out of policy advice to private companies and abolishing state institutions. In certain respects, the situation resembles trends described by Halligan as early as in 1995.
However, drawing upon available evidence, it is argued that contrary to theoretical expectations, not only policy formulation and implementing activities, but also the core advice activities (such as strategy development and gathering and analysis of essential data) are contracted out. The problems to which it leads in terms of government accountability and effectiveness are briefly discussed.
The paper concludes with implications for empirical research on policy work in the Czech Republic which is in preparation as well as inspirations for PAS theory development.