This original analysis of the creation of new state forms critically examines the political forces that enabled `more and better management' to be presented as a solution to the problems of the welfare state in Britain.
Examining the micro-politics within public service, the authors draw links between politics, policies and organizational power to present an incisive and dynamic account of the restructuring of social welfare. Clarke and Newman expose the tensions and contradictions in the managerial state and trace the emergence of new dilemmas in the provision of public services. They show that these problems are connected to the recurring difficulties in defining `the public' that receives these services. In particular they question whether the reinvention of the public as either a nation of consumers or a nation of communities can effectively address the implications of social diversity.
'Janet Newman's 'Modernizing Governance' provides a comprehensive and thorough critique of contemporary public sector reforms. The book combines an impressive synthesis of theoretical perspectives with a deep understanding of the practice of public policy making and management. The contradictions within a shift to governance are clearly highlighted, and the notion of a third way is carefully deconstructed. This book is an important contribution to the literature, and will provide stimulating reading for academic researchers and students' - George Boyne, Professor of Public Sector Management, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University
'The tale of Tony Blair and "government" is a complicated one which Janet Newman tells with insight and academic rigour....It deserves wide readership; it ought to pique the interest of all those concerned with the condition of British democracy' - David Walker, Analysis Editor and Leader Writer, The Guardian
The first comprehensive guide that explores the politics and policies of new Labour.
Has Labour's responses to the challenges and issues of the past 4 years, represented something radically different both in content and style from the Thatcher and Major years? Did it, in the language of this book, represent the emergence of a new form of governance in the UK?
This book offers:
Critical insights into Labour's impact on:
§ the relationship between government and citizens
§ public services and their users
§ the state and civil society
Interpretations of core themes in Labour's policy agenda:
§ the Third Way and social democracy
§ modernising government
§ public service reform
§ joined-up government and partnership
§ public participation and democratic renewal
§ remaking civil society
Drawing on cultural and institutional theory, the author brings a fresh approach to the study of governance, politics and policy. She traces Labour's attempt to reinstall 'the social' in public and social policy by examining its use of the discourses of democracy, citizenship, community, social inclusion, partnership and public participation. The book analyses the implications of these new, and not so new, discourses for the practice of making and delivering policy, and the patterns of equality and diversity that they invoke. It also highlights the way in which managers, professionals and staff are responding to the new agenda, and the tensions and dilemmas produced in the process of institutional change.
Very stimulating and intellectually exciting. In fact, I think it is one of the best books I have read for a long time. - Professor Carsten Greve, International centre for Business and Politics at the Copenhagen Business School Publicness appears to be in decline or retreat in the face of markets, consumerism and individualism. Yet questions of public participation, public governance and the reform of public services are at the top of the political agenda in many countries. Publics, Politics and Power offers an innovative analysis of the changing fortunes of publicness. The book " Explores the emergence of new forms, sites and practices of publicness and the implications for public services. " Examines the remaking of the public in the context of new formations of the nation, where issues of migration, diversity and faith challenge traditional forms of solidarity and citizenship. " Traces the emergence of hybrid organizational forms and new strategies for governing publics and public services. " Assesses some of the ways in which the public domain is being recast around notions of civil society, community, and populist participatory politics. Chapters include vignettes illustrating the book's core concepts, making this a useful teaching resource and valuable reading for students of public management, public and social policy, sociology and cultural studies, and for those working in public services. Janet Newman is a Professor of Social Policy at the Open University, and Director of the Publics Research Programme within the Centre for Citizenship, Identities and Governance. John Clarke is a Professor of Social Policy at the Open University. His research has centred on conflicts over the future of welfare states, public services and citizenship in the UK and elsewhere.
