The vanguard of efforts to change basic values could be reforms of the civil service and the education system.

CNN: REFORMING THE THAIS

The middle class expanded fast thanks to jobs in state-owned companies, the public education system and the bloated civil service.

ECONOMIST: Beyond Wisteria Lane

The states are ceding many blocking powers, but in return for new ones from the federal level, particularly in higher education, the penal system and civil-service law.

ECONOMIST: German reform

Since the creation of a professionalised civil service in the 20th century, however, the system has certainly become a good deal more meritocratic.

BBC: Unit 5C: Governing the USA

Ricci testified that her 2008 rejection of his reverse discrimination claim had undermined the concept of a merit-based civil service system.

CNN: GOP homes in on controversial Sotomayor speeches

The fact that these nations were British colonies is also an advantage in that they inherited a similar civil service, political system, a judicial system and the English language, features that would make the integration easier than the union of Europe.

BBC: Should South Asia copy the European Union?

Yes, the civil service is based, in theory, on the merit system.

FORBES: Government Shutdown: A Psychodrama

One reason why Anson Chan, Hong Kong's chief secretary, or senior civil servant, left her job in April last year was her belief (though never stated publicly) that the proposed ministerial system would lead to the politicisation of the civil service.

ECONOMIST: Five years in China | The

An outmoded civil service system, we weren't getting enough people in that we needed with the high tech requirements that the future was going to bring us.

CNN: Thompson's September 7, 2007, speech in Des Moines, Iowa

They propose a smaller parliament and civil service, a new electoral law, a better system of tax collection and measures to stimulate the economy.

BBC: Italy experts present reforms in new coalition bid