This book challenges the notion that bigger local government is always better. Whilst the central government in Britain has often supported increases in local government size, the book argues that this has been detrimental, and has caused the erosion of distinctive community identities that were previously represented by local authorities empowered to make significant local choices about services and future strategy. Drawing from national and international evidence, it offers an alternativ...

English local government is in a state of decline after 40 years of incremental but cumulative centralisation by central government.This book is the first to directly address this trend's impact upon the institution of local government, a crucial element in the democratic viability of a unitary state. The process of centralisation, and its corrosive effect on the status and responsibilities of local government, have been widely recognised and deplored among politicians and senior o...

First published in 1982, Approaches in Public Policy is an integrated, purpose-written text on the context, process, and practice of policymaking in the public sector, particularly at the local level. It has two main purposes. It aims to provide a stimulating and critical evaluation of trends in the analysis and formulation of policy by examining the realities behind such influential concepts and ideas as ‘rationality’, ‘information systems’, ‘distributional impact of services’ an...

Lucas discovers a magical corncob that sends him on a journey to Mexico where he meets a new friend and learns more about his own family. Children will love this entertaining story with its message of the importance of family and cultural traditions. Colo

The Local Government Review raised issues of political process and decision-making theories. The interest lies in the insights provided by academic analysis, and the highlighting of the lessons to be learned. This volume attempts to respond to both these perspectives.

At the height of the Scottish Independence debate, After Independence offers an in-depth and varied exploration of the possibilities for Scotland, from both pro and anti-independence standpoints. Drawing together over two dozen leading minds on the subject, After Independence offers a comprehensive and balanced analysis of Scotland's current and prospective political, economic, social and cultural situation. Brought together in an inclusive, accessible and informative way, After Independen...

Since first publication in 1982, Howard Elcock's Local Government has established a reputation as a comprehensive and unbiased account of how British local government really works. This respected textbook has been completely revised and rewritten for its third edition, to take account of changes in local government and in the circumstances in which it operates. The third edition examines new management structures and accountabilities that follow the policy initiatives of the centr...

First published in 1984 this book has established itself as the leading text in British public administration. The third edition builds on the previous edition's success to bring the considerable changes and very latest developments in the field. This edition includes: * a new chapter on the influence of Europe * a focus on new developments that have emerged in recent years such as managerialism, privatisation, consumerism, charters, contracting and regulation * new features include boxed ...

A Nation Changed? Provides the first detailed and wide-ranging analysis of the SNP in office. It looks at how Scotland has changed and not changed during that time, and the challenges that lie ahead. The book examines the SNP's record, its role as a government and as a party, detailed policy issues such as education and health, the Brexit conundrum and independence.Offering insights and suggestions for further action and reform, A Nation Changed? brings together a...

Devolution, Regionalism and Regional Development provides an overview and critical perspective on the impact of devolution on regionalism in the UK since 1999,taking a research-based look at issues central to the development of regionalism: politics, governance and planning.This multidisciplinary book is written by academics from the fields of geography, economics, town planning, public policy, management, public administration, politics and sociology with a final chapter ...

The Labour government elected in 1997 pledged to reform the Westminster parliament by modernising the House of Commons and removing the hereditary peers from the House of Lords. Events have consequently demonstrated the deep controversy that accompanies such attempts at institutional reconfiguration, and have highlighted the shifting fault lines in executive-legislative relations in the UK, as well as the deep complexities surrounding British constitutional politics.The story of pa...

Did the 1980s and 1990s see the death of planning?Exposing the myth that has grown up around Thatcherism, leading experts from a wide range of land-use policy areas examine the changes that were brought about in planning and the environment during the 1980s and 1990s, and argue that much less was achieved than expected.Urban Planning and the British New Right questions common assumptions about planning practices under Thatcherism, concluding that the complex relation...