STATE UNDER STRESS

Plowden, Francis J., Foster, C.D.

1 available

Add to basket

Book Details:
Publisher:Open University Press ISBN:9780335197132 Published Date:16th September 1996 Dimensions:152 X 226 X 22 mm Weight:0.4583 kilograms Pages:288 Binding:Paperback Illustrations:references, index Condition:VeryGood Notes:Date written on inside fron cover.

Short Description

An account of the changes that have taken place in British government since 1979 but, more especially, since 1988, this text argues that there has been a general decline in competence and ability to deliver good government. It claims urgent reforms are needed if democracy is not to be undermined.

---

Review

"...a timely new book." - The Times "For expert guidance on the issues raised by the Tory record, youshould dip into the thoughtful tome that Christopher Foster and Francis Plowden have published." - New Statesman "...the most important dissection of the changed relationship betweenministers, civil servants and MPs since Peter Hennessy charted the history of the British civil service to the mid 1980s in his magisterialWhitehall." - Financial Times "...an important book because it amounts to a sustained critique ofcurrent administrative developments in Britain by two authors who arein principle supporters of the application of market-based concepts to the public services." - Economic and Social Rights "...the value of the book is to widen the agenda beyond familiar issues such as alleged 'politicization', or the accountability of chief executives, andto place at centre stage the key question of the very capacity of government today and in the future." - Public Administration "...a concise sweep through the new structure of central British public administration." - Parliamentary Affairs

---