The Meaning of Modernisation: New Labour and public sector reform

Citation

Shaw E (2009) The Meaning of Modernisation: New Labour and public sector reform. In: Callaghan J, Fishman N, Jackson B & McIvor M (eds.) In Search of Social Democracy: Responses to crisis and modernisation. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 147-167. http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?product=9780719079207

Abstract
The chapter proceeds in the following way. Firstly, it briefly outlines the traditional Labour approach to the public services, labelled the ‘professional model’ and the objections lodged to it by New Labour. Secondly, it explores the main contours of the Blair Government’s alternative model, ‘New Labour Managerialism.’ The third and longest section considers the extent to which this new approach has succeeded in promoting its key objective of higher quality, more equitably delivered services in the two central policy sectors of secondary education and healthcare. This is followed by a brief conclusion.

Keywords
New Labour; public service reform; Labour party; Political parties Great Britain; Labour Party (Great Britain)

People

Dr Eric Shaw

Honorary Research Fellow, Politics