Abstract:
This paper examined power dynamics between elected political leaders and public
servant leadership in managing public finances. Development of livestock is
essential to the agricultural industry and has a big economic impact. The public
budget, which supports the industry, provides a rich environment for the
government's political economy. The study used cross-sectional descriptive and
exploratory research design. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive
and inferential statistics (Chi-Square test and analysis of variance) in SPSS
version 20. The results showed that public servants have more authority and
control over public finance management. Power in public finance management
does not reside in one stakeholder but is volatile. Collaboration between public
servants and politicians existed to achieve the objectives set by political and public
servant leaders and ensure compliance with the public finance framework. The
findings of this study are inferred to some extent from other public sectors in
Malawi. Corruption and patronage compromise public finance management.
Private interests influence civil servants, leading to regulatory capture and
compromised regulatory enforcement. Further research would be required to
establish how power is applied to motivate public servant leadership and political
leadership and explore the dynamics at play within livestock sector and in other
public sectors in Malawi.
