Steering from the Centre

by University of Toronto Press

• ISBN13: 9781442610699
• ISBN10: 1442610697
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-27
• Publisher: Univ of Toronto Pr

Summary

Governments face new challenges in an era marked by globalization, shifting economic and national security policies, pervasive electronic media, and policy reform. Steering from the Centredetails how chief executives in ten Western democracies have responded to governance challenges in the wake of reform ideas such as the New Public Management which stress deregulation and decentralization. This volume analyzes the extent to which the centre of government can retain political and administrative control when delivery of public services is increasingly done through networks, contacts, partnerships, and a host of other devolved arrangements. International in scope, Steering from the Centrecovers the experiences of diverse countries and examines how various centralization/decentralization strategies have played out in these differing national and institutional contexts.

Table of Contents

Figures and Tables	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Introduction
Steering from the Centre: Strengthening Political Control in Western Democracies	p. 3
Continental Europe
Steering from the Centre in France in the 2000s: When Reorganizations Meet Politicization	p. 27
Steering from the German Centre: More Policy Coordination and Fewer Policy Initiatives	p. 54
The Core Executive in Italy: A More Visible Skipper, but Still Little Steering	p. 80
Anglo-American Democracies
Central Steering in Australia	p. 99
Governing from the Centre(s) Governance Challenges in the United States	p. 123
Steering from the Centre: The Canadian Way	p. 147
The Paradoxes of Britain's Strong Centre: Delegating Decisions and Reclaiming Control	p. 166
Scandinavia
Steering the Swedish State: Polticization as a Coordination Strategy	p. 193
Steering from the Centre in Denmark	p. 212
Towards Stronger Political Steering: Program Management Reform in the Finnish Government	p. 241
Conclusion
Steering Strategies in Western Democracies	p. 263
Contributors	p. 277
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