Changing Patterns of Governance in the United Kingdom: Reinventing Whitehall? (Transforming Government)

This is the first comprehensive examination of the changing relations between ministers and civil servants in the UK since 1979. Drawing on evidence compiled from more than 150 interviews, this book provides unprecedented insight into the world of Conservative government. The authors also examine the external pressures exerted by factors such as the European Union, and they conclude by arguing that, despite recent claims about the end of the Whitehall model, many of the old features of the British system remain. The Period Since 1979 Has Seen What Many Call A Revolution In Whitehall. This Book Is The First Detailed Study Of How These Changes Have Affected Relations Between Ministers And Civil Servants. Based On An Original Account Of Power Within Central Government And Drawing On Evidence Compiled From Over One Hundred And Fifty Interviews, This Book Provides Unprecedented Insight Into The World Of Whitehall. As Well As Exploring The Impact Of Eighteen Years Of Conservative Government On The Civil Service, The Authors Examine The External Pressures Exerted By Factors Such As The European Union. The Authors Conclude By Arguing That, Despite Recent Claims About The End Of The Whitehall Model, Many Of The Old Features Of The British System Remain. Moreover, Marsh, Richards And Smith Demonstrate That Departments Continue To Be Key Institutions In The Policy-making Process.--jacket. Foreword / R.a.w. Rhodes -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Culture And Power In Whitehall -- 3. Structural Change In Central Government -- 4. Departmental Cultures -- 5. Departments And The Core Executive -- 6. Reassessing The Role Of Departmental Cabinet Ministers -- 7. The Changing Relations Between Ministers And Civil Servants -- 8. The Departments' Relations Outside The Core Executive -- 9. The Role Of Europe -- 10. Assessing The Differentiated Polity Model: Towards An Asymmetric Power Model. David Marsh, David Richards, And Martin J. Smith ; Foreword By R.a.w. Rhodes. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Annotation. This is the first comprehensive examination of the changing relations between ministers and civil servants since 1979. Based on an original account of power within central government and drawing on evidence compiled from over one hundred and fifty interviews, this book provides unprecedented insight into the world of Whitehall. As well as exploring the impact of eighteen years of Conservative government, the authors also examine the external pressures exerted by factors such as the European Union. They conclude by arguing that, despite recent claims about the end of the Whitehall model, many of the old features of the British system remain. Indeed, March, Richards and Smith demonstrate that departments continue to be key institutions in the policymaking process Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Foreword: Transforming Government......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 13 1 Introduction......Page 14 2 Culture and Power in Whitehall......Page 27 3 Structural Change in Central Government......Page 56 4 Departmental Cultures......Page 82 5 Departments and the Core Executive......Page 114 6 Reassessing the Role of Departmental Cabinet Ministers......Page 145 7 The Changing Relations between Ministers and Civil Servants......Page 168 8 The Departments’ Relations Outside the Core Executive......Page 194 9 The Role of Europe......Page 222 10 Assessing the Differentiated Polity Model: towards an Asymmetric Power Model......Page 245 Appendix on Methods......Page 264 Bibliography......Page 267 Index......Page 281 The importance of British government departments both constitutionally and politically is unquestionable.