In "Political Order & Political Decay", Dr. Fukuyami talks about a good balance between the bureaucrats and the elected politicians. THe politcians set the directions; the bureaucracy runs the day-to-day operations. But more often than not, one side invades the domain of the other side.

As long as the politicians are more beholden to their political party than their voters, I would say it will be hard to find that good balance.