The new British state: towards multi-level governance

Abstract

In this final chapter in Part IV we seek to bring together some of the strands identified in previous chapters as well as some additional material, in an attempt to characterise the newly emerging British state. While it is clear that the British state has changed and will almost certainly be subject to further transformation, there is less agreement on the nature of the British state today. Here we will outline and evaluate some of the contrasting verdicts on modern British government, and in the process review concerns over non-elected government (quangos), the growth of regulation, and government secrecy. We examine the New Right criticism of government and the public sector, and New Labour’s approach to governing, which has emphasised partnership with the private and voluntary sectors, policy networks, and ‘joined-up government’. We conclude with a discussion of the role of the fast-changing British state within a system of multi-level governance.