A New Dispensation of Trust

Abstract

The intent of this chapter is to set out the rationale for a new dispensation and to outline its principal characteristics. Essentially, the approach is to capture from the past what worked and to lay aside our failures. Two features prevail: pragmatism and evolution. The former recognises the merit of basing proposals on what is perceived as likely to work, the latter on a continuing commitment to the efficacy of building upon extant structures, as opposed to a root and branch radicalism. As to the former, it is not simply a recognition that much in the spirit of the original 1944 legislation remains valid, but that some of the subsequent reforms have actually stood the test of time and fully merit retention in a new dispensation. Further, if a measure actually works or even were its usefulness to be judged questionable, there is much to be said for avoiding the wasteful effort in seeking its removal.