The Formation of Public Personnel Regime in Austria During Construction Period of Capitalism and its Transformation Within the Context of New Public Management

The aim of this study is to evaluate the transformation of public personnel system in Austria as part of the New Public Management. Rational-legal Weberian bureaucracy is a structure inherent to capitalist production style. Therefore, the evolution of this structure can be observed during the transition period from feudal system to capitalism. In Austria “modern” administrative structure, in other words bureaucracy, is established concurrent with the progression of capitalist production style. Since 1980s a new paradigm has been forcing the existing Weberian bureaucratic structure for a reform. It has been suggested that the structural crises of capitalism can only be overcome by these reforms. Reforms can be defined as redesigning of the state within neo-liberal policies and constitution of bureaucracy on the basis of management techniques. This article will first briefly analyze the feudal system and the transition period to capitalism, followed by a historic review of Weberian bureaucratic structure within this transition period, along with the formation of public personnel system. Finally, the transformation of the bureaucratic structure within the context of New Public Management will be evaluated.