Models of Local Governance : Public Opinion and Political Theory in Britain

From 1979 to 1997 Britain was a laboratory for experiments in local governance as the control and delivery of local services was switched from elected councils to appointed boards (guangos), private companies or self-management. This book is about four models of local governance: the traditional "localist" model, the New Right's "individualist" model, the New Left's "mobilization" model, and government's own "centralist" model. It tests them against public opinion as expressed in 2203 interviews with ordinary citizens, 788 with councilors, and 903 with members of appointed boards. This Book Is About Four Models Of Local Governance: The 'localist' Model Centred On Elected Councils; The 'individualist' Model Which Portrays Local Service Users As Customers Rather Than Citizens; The 'mobilization' Model Centred On Mobilizing The Disadvantaged; And The 'centralist' Model Focused On National Standards.--book Jacket. 1. From Local Government To Local Governance -- 2. A Multi-level Survey -- 3. The Limits Of Local Identity -- 4. The Role Of Local Governance -- 5. The Image Of Traditional Local Government -- 6. Institutional Preferences -- 7. Governing Perspectives -- 8. Testing Models Against Public Opinion -- 9. Public Support For Local Democracy. William L. Miller, Malcolm Dickson, And Gerry Stoker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 262-267) And Index. From 1979 to 1997 Britain was a laboratory for experiments in local governance as the control and delivery of local services was switched from elected councils to appointed boards (quangos), private companies or self-management. This book is about four models of local governance: the traditional 'localist' model, the New Right's 'individual' model, the New Left's 'mobilisation' model, and government's own 'centralist' model. It tests them against public opinion as expressed in 2203 interviews with ordinary citizens, 788 with councillors, and 902 with members of appointed boards. Contents......Page 2 Acknowledgements......Page 6 Introduction and Overview......Page 8 1 From Local Government to Local Governance......Page 18 2 A Multi Level Survey......Page 40 3 The Limits of Local Identity......Page 52 4 The Role of Local Governance......Page 78 5 The Image of Traditional Local Government......Page 92 6 Institutional Preferences......Page 112 7 Governing Perspectives......Page 137 8 Testing Models against Public Opinion......Page 195 9 Public Support for Local Democracy......Page 249 Notes......Page 269 Index......Page 275