Overtom's weblog

PARKINSON'S LAW  (25 february 2004)

Ever heard of Parkinson's Law? It's named after Cyril Northcote Parkinson, who published his famous law in 1955.

The law originates from an experience Parkinson had in the army. Although he worked in a department that had less and less to do, the department staff only increased.

The essence of Parkinson's Law can be summarized in one sentence: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

But Parkinson's Law does not only apply in the army.

It is said that about fifteen years ago some socialist politicians in Amsterdam had a problem: they had more people in their party than could be employed in the city council and other municipal offices.

Whether this story is true or not, one thing is sure: it is not a problem that the electorate will be greatly interested in. But rumours have it that a  brilliant solution was invented. If the city council were to be split up into smaller sub-councils (Dutch: deelraden ), a lot of vacancies would be created.

But how to sell this to the electorate? A new slogan was invented: "Take the administration closer to the people".

To make a long story short: the sub-councils were really created, and a considerable number of minor political figures were given nice little jobs -- whether it is true or not that the sub-councils were only created for that purpose.

Well, the people of Amsterdam seem to have swallowed the story that these sub-councils are something they really need. And now they have to pay for them. All these sub-councils need housing. And according to Parkinson, the fact that such organs are superfluous doesn't mean the cheapest kind of accommodation is chosen to house them. On the contrary - quite a few palatial buildings were built to accommodate their important work. And of course, sub-councils need a lot of extra staff.

And has the administration got any better? Soon I'll try to give you a few examples of the so-called improved quality.

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