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Modernizing Governance
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Modernizing Governance
New Labour, Policy and Society

First Edition


208 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
'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.

 
Introduction and the Question of Governance
 
Understanding Governance
 
The Dynamics of Institutional Change
 
The Third Way
Modernizing Social Democracy

 
 
Modernizing Government
The Politics of Reform

 
 
Modernising Services
The Politics of Performance

 
 
Joined Up Government
The Politics of Partnership

 
 
Public Participation
The Politics of Representation

 
 
Remaking Civil Society
The Politics of Inclusion

 
 
Conclusion
The Politics of Governance

 

'Janet Newman's 'Modernising 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

Janet E Newman

My recent research has traced what happens at the interface between activist movements and changing governance regimes. Working the spaces of power: activism, neoliberalism and gendered labour (Bloomsbury, 2012) was based on a four-generation study which also formed the basis of journal outputs in Social Politics, Critical Policy Studies and Local Economy. The research continues, and has led to the creation of a Feminist Policy, Practice and Research Forum, convened jointly with Birkbeck Institute for Social Research.... More About Author

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