Modernizing Governance

'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.