Official History of the British Civil Service - Reforming Civil Service, Volume Ii: The Thatcher Major Revolutions,

This second volume of The Official History of the British Civil Service explores the radical restructuring of the Civil Service that took place during the Thatcher and Major premierships from 1982 until 1997, after a period of confusion and disagreement about its future direction.

The book brings a much-needed historical perspective to the development of the 'new public management', in which the UK was a world-leader, and considers difficult questions about the quality of democratic governance in Britain and the constitutional position of its Civil Service. Based on extensive research using government papers and interviews with leading participants, it concentrates on attempts to reform the Civil Service from the centre. In doing so, it has important lessons to offer all those, both inside and outside the UK, seeking to improve the quality, efficiency and accountability of democratic governance.

Particular light is shed on the origins of such current concerns as:

The role of special advisers

The need for a Prime Minister's Department

The search for cost efficiency

Accountability to Parliament and its Select Committees

Civil Service policy-making capacity and implementation capability.

This book will be of much interest to students of British history, government and politics, and public administration.

List of contents

Prologue 1. Introduction Part I: The Interregnum 1981-1987 2. Filling the Hole at the Centre 3. Managing the Service 4. Government as an Employer Part II: Next Steps, 1988-92 5. Next Steps 6. Transformation Part III: Further Steps, 1992-97 7. From Next Steps to Competing for Quality 8. The Citizen’s Charter 9. Managing a Changing Service 10. Continuity and Change Conclusion 11. The Final Assessment

About the author

The late Rodney Lowe was until his death in 2019 Emeritus Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Bristol. He had published widely on comparative British history, and especially on UK government and welfare policy.
Hugh Pemberton is Professor Emeritus of Contemporary British History at the University of Bristol, and author of many books and articles on the recent history of British politics.

Summary

This second volume of the Official History of the British Civil Service explores the radical restructuring of the Civil Service that took place during the Thatcher and Major premierships from 1982 until 1997, after a period of confusion and disagreement about its future direction.

Product details

• Authors: Rodney Lowe, Rodney (Cabinet Office Lowe, Rodney Pemberton Lowe, Lowe Rodney, Hugh Pemberton, Hugh (University of Bristol Pemberton, Pemberton Hugh
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 20.05.2020
• EAN: 9781138678224
• ISBN: 978-1-138-67822-4
• No. of pages: 412
• Series: Government Official History Series; Government Official History Series
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; European History, HISTORY / Military / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Process / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / Executive Branch, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / National, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Public Administration, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Political structure and processes, Civil Service & Public Sector