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Decentralization & Local Government
Author(s) -
Stoker Gerry
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
social policy and administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1467-9515
pISSN - 0144-5596
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.1987.tb00271.x
Subject(s) - decentralization , publicity , variety (cybernetics) , public administration , welfare state , local government , criticism , welfare , democracy , government (linguistics) , state (computer science) , political science , service delivery framework , political economy , service (business) , economics , law , politics , economy , linguistics , philosophy , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science
Criticism of the achievements of the Welfare State have led to more emphasis on the role of local government in providing new styles of welfare services. This has presented a challenge to Labour party authorities in Britain and can be seen as an aspect of conflict with Conservative party central government. The article analyses the effect of placing more emphasis on local service delivery to which much publicity has been given. Voluntary agencies have also been given an increased role, for a variety of motives. This raises questions about local democracy, answerability, and user‐control, which go beyond mere party polemics and involves fresh discussion of the future role of local government.