You asked "Would there be a benefit of defining the Plimsoll boundary explicitly, making clear what are the responsibilities on each side of the line?"
For what it's worth, I think that's exactly what's done in the United States federal government (and presumably mirrored in the various state governments). "Political appointee" in the U.S. is not just an informal description; it refers to a formal classification of employment, with different restrictions, different ethics requirements, and less job security than the non-political employees. Two ... (read more)
You asked "Would there be a benefit of defining the Plimsoll boundary explicitly, making clear what are the responsibilities on each side of the line?"
For what it's worth, I think that's exactly what's done in the United States federal government (and presumably mirrored in the various state governments). "Political appointee" in the U.S. is not just an informal description; it refers to a formal classification of employment, with different restrictions, different ethics requirements, and less job security than the non-political employees. Two ... (read more)