A Comparison of the Construction of Standardized Public Service in Britain, the U.S. and South Africa

Since the end of the 1980s, many countries, with Britain, the United States and South Africa as representatives, have carried out the reform of public service standardization. At present, China is trying to establish its fundamental public service system. The reform of public service standardization is helpful to reducing the non-equalization of public service and improving its quality. Based on the common assessment framework, this article analyzes and compares the reform of public service standardization in Britain, the United States and South Africa from six dimensions:background, participants, partnership, reform measures, service standards, and achievements. Drawing a lesson from the reform experience of the three countries, China can promote the standardization of public service from five aspects-publishing the outline of public service standards with clear rewards and punishments; promoting government affairs openness and encouraging social participation; paying attention to the street-level bureaucracy and providing comprehensive training opportunities; formulating detailed, specific and clear standards; improving supervision and taking into account the ex ante and ex post work.