WESTMINSTER, GOVERNANCE AND THE POLITICS OF POLICY INACTION by Stephen Barber ( 9781137487056 )

Item Details

Title:

WESTMINSTER, GOVERNANCE AND THE POLITICS OF POLICY INACTION
'DO NOTHING'

By:

Format:

Hardback

List price:	£49.99
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ISBN 10:

1137487054

ISBN 13:

9781137487056

Publisher:

PALGRAVE MACMILLAN

Pub. date:

6 December, 2016

Pages:

Synopsis:

This book shows how political inaction has shaped the politics, economy and society we recognize today, despite the fact that policymakers are incentivised to act and to be seen to act decisively. Politicians make decisions which affect our lives every day but in our combative Westminster system, are usually only held to account for those which change something. But what about decisions to do nothing? What about policy which is discarded in favour of an alternative? What about opposition for naked political advantage? This book argues that not only is policy inaction an overlooked part of British politics but also that it is just as important as active policy and can have just as significant an impact on society. Addressing the topic for perhaps the first time, it offers a provocative analysis of 'do nothing' politics. It shows why politicians are rarely incentivized to do nothing, preferring hyperactivity. It explores the philosophical and structural drivers of inaction when it happens and highlights the contradictions in behavior.It explains why Attlee and Thatcher enjoyed lasting policy legacies to this day, and considers the nature of opposition and the challenge of holding 'do nothing' policy decisions to account.

Illustrations:

1 colour illustrations, biography

Publication:

Imprint:

Palgrave Pivot

Returns:

Non-returnable

Some other items by this author:

"HERE LIES" PRECEDED BY "THE INDIAN CULTURE"

"THE HUMAN FACE" AND OTHER WRITINGS ON HIS DRAWINGS

ABANDONED IMAGES

ABANDONED IMAGES (PB)