Political Quarterly Monograph Series – serie

Fifty years after the term “meritocracy” was coined, this book asks where the idea of meritocracy has led. A team of commentators consider diverse topics such as family and meritocracy, meritocracy and ethnic minorities, and what is meant by talent Contains commentaries by a selection of researchers, activists and politicians, from Asa Briggs to David Willetts, on the origin, meaning and future of meritocracy Demonstrates that Michael Young, who wrote The Rise of the Meritocracy, was right to question the viability of political systems trying to organise themselves around the idea of meritocracy Essential reading for everyone interested in where we are going, and the future of New Labour itself

Spin doctor, soundbite, press secretary, digital, global village, cool Britannia. Politics today is saturated with the jargon and buzzwords of the mass media. How important are they for the way we are governed? How can the ever-expanding impact of the media be controlled? In this up-to-the-minute book, a group of Britain's best-known journalists and media analysts tackle one of the most testing issues facing the nation in the next century. Each essay focuses on the central role of newspapers, broadcasting and information technology in our political life.Peter Riddell shows how the demands of the press and broadcasting have drained Parliament of much of its democratic purpose. Tony Wright gives a fascinating insider's account of the politician-journalist nexus. Andrew Graham points to the monopolistic pressures of the new technology. Colin Seymour-Ure discusses the effects of the end of the party-political allegiances of newspapers. Philip Schlesinger considers the impact of the Scottish media as catalyst for a political micro-climate. Steve Barnett examines the concept of "tabloidization". Eric Barendt weighs up the law as a tool for guarding press impartiality. Ben Pimlott takes a post-Diana look at the monarchy's media dealings. Martin Rowson satiries the press-politician embrace. Finally, Jean Seaton reassesses J. S. Mill's concept of media freedom.Edited by Jean Seaton (co-author of the classic media study Power Without Responsibility) this thought-provoking, intensely readable and often witty collection applies expertise and common sense to complex problems, and shows how dated many assumptions about the mass media have become.The book is essential reading for students of the media and politics, as well as for journalists, politicians and all those concerned about the fast-changing role of mass communications in our democracy.

Since the election of Tony Blair to the leadership of the Labour party in 1997 and the party's subsequent electoral triumph in 1997 after eighteen years in opposition there has been intense speculation about what the Labour party now stands for. Does the party still have a clear set of values and beliefs which guide it in government? Can it still be described as a social democratic party? Recently Tony Blair has called his political approach a Third Way between new Right and old Labour. The essays in this book by leading authorities on social democracy and the politics of new Labour ask whether new Labour is a complete break with the Labour past and with European social democracy, or whether it should be seen as a powerful restatement of social democratic ideas in a new context.

100 years ago, secular liberals thought religion would gradually recede from the public sphere and become an exclusively private concern. Today, organised religion is still a powerful political force in most parts of the world. In many its political significance has grown. But is it an ally or an enemy of pluralist democracy? That crucial question provides the theme for this path-breaking collection.

This is the eighth book of a series published with The Political Quarterly. Expert contributors including Joyce Macmillan, Michael Brunson, Karen Evans, John Maxton, Matthew Taylor, Neal Acherson, Yasmin-Alibhai Brown and Anthony Everitt. Asks how a radically more participative citizenship culture could be achieved - one where people think of themselves as citizens and act like citizens. Concerned with long-term proposals rather than short-term issues. Looking towards the middle years of the new century it offers a practical vision of a more democratic and genuinely inclusive society.

Retrieving the Big Society presents a collection of essays that challenge the view of Britain’s Big Society as a political gimmick and recognise it as an alternative to the central state in social and economic governance. Offers an original and critical take on the idea of the Big Society Attempts to make sense of the Big Society by placing in the context of the history of localism, mutualism, and voluntarism Features contributions by experts on British politics and political theory

"A wise and wide-ranging reminder of the things we should have been talking about when we were talking about Brexit."—Stephanie Flanders, Head of Bloomberg Economics"With the national debate bogged down in the messy process of negotiating the UK’s exit from and future relationship with the EU, this book is a timely look at the bigger question: what kind of country do we want to be after Brexit and how do we make it happen? Sharp, clear writing on the most important question of our time, by some of the smartest people around."—Sarah O'Connor, investigations correspondent and columnist, Financial Times"This excellent collection of astute and forward-looking essays, from some of Britain’s leading commentators and academics, offers much-needed perspective on the emerging trends in our economy, society and politics which are reshaping the UK in fundamental ways. It is an indispensable read for those interested in understanding what these dynamics mean for public policy now, and in decades to come."—Michael Kenny, Professor of Public Policy, University of CambridgeBrexit represents a critical juncture in British politics. In this new collection, leading economists, political scientists, historians and public policy experts analyse what the Brexit decision might mean for Britain’s economy, society and politics. Anticipating the challenges of the 2020s, the authors explore how Britain might change in the aftermath of the current Brexit storm. The contributions analyse the future of the British economic model, migration and the labour market, the UK’s constitution and political parties, the politics of housing, the challenge of generational conflict, tax and public spending, the prospects for the City and the future of UK trade. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how today’s Brexit decision will shape the future of the country.

This book examines the policy responses to superterrorism, suggesting that the world was not in fact turned upside down by the events of 11 September 2001, but rather that some established trends and tendencies were picked up and reinforced while others were recast. Examines the policy responses to superterrorism in the wake of the al-Qaeda attacks of 11 September 2001. Suggests that the changes that occurred as a result of this attack were in some cases continuations of established trends. Looks at changes in how terrorism is now viewed, the adjustments demanded of different legal systems and financial institutions, and the impact on the role of the armed forces, among other issues.

The Politics of Migration explores the opportunities and tensions posed by migration today and makes a series of strong, workable proposals for managing it effectively. An exploration of the opportunities and tensions posed by migration today.Written by some of the foremost international experts on migration and citizenship issues.Focuses on migration in Europe and North America.Covers issues such as the rise of the far right, the international politics of refugees, the impact of migration on labour markets and welfare states, citizenship, public opinion and the integration of Muslims in Europe.Makes strong, workable recommendations for managing migration more effectively.

In his essay “The end of laissez-faire”, Keynes distinguished between the agenda and the non-agenda of government. This book asks how we interpret that distinction today. A ground-breaking collection concerned with rethinking the contemporary role of the state. Comprises essays written by leading scholars and politicians. Looks back at the expansion of the social democratic state in post-war Britain, and at the subsequent challenge to this from neo-liberal ideas and policies. Discusses new doctrines for managing the state, new conceptions of the state, and new ideas for organising the delivery of public services. Covers current concepts, such as the enabling state, and topical issues such as public private partnerships. Goes beyond traditional ‘state versus market’ arguments. Opens up new conceptual and practical territory.

Bringing together contributions from the eight men who have held the post of British Permanent Representative to the EC/EU, this book provides an authoritative insight into the way Britain’s relationship with its EC/EU partners has developed since accession in 1973. A unique and authoritative insight into the way Britain’s relationship with its EC/EU partners has developed since accession in 1973. Presents overviews of this relationship written by the eight men who have held the post of British Permanent Representative to the EC/EU. Provides a privileged view of the reality of Britain’s relationship with its EC/EU partners. Offers a fascinating insight into the changing nature of Britain and the British debate about European integration, and the changing nature of an ever larger and more complicated EU.

Distinguished contributors from a range of disciplines explore the question of Britishness – past, present and future. A lively and authoritative discussion of an important, timely and contemporary issueInvestigates how devolution has brought a new focus on the future of Britain and the nature of BritishnessDiscusses the challenge of a more diverse society, with the search for a basis of social cohesion and solidarityExamines Gordon Brown's Britishness project, with its aim of producing a statement of British values

Options for Britain II: Cross Cutting Policy Issues - Changes and Challenges offers an assessment of the last decade of British public policy that cuts across policy areas, such as measuring public sector performance, the role of the state, regulation, and Britain’s relationship with the EU. Provides evidence to show what has and has not worked in the Options For Britain II project Sets out key choices both for Britain's electorate and the next incoming government, regardless of its political make up Questions how public policy has changed over the last ten years, addresses the most important current challenges, and provides options for an incoming government to address them Accompanies Options For A New Britain, the follow up to its influential predecessor Options for Britain

This volume, marking the eightieth anniversary of the journal The Political Quarterly, contains a selection of articles from eight decades of progressive writing and provides both a fascinating window on the past and a stimulus to thought and action in the present. A free-thinking platform for the leading voices of the progressive tradition in British politicsSpans eight decades of progressive writing from voices which still have something to say to us nowAims to bridge the divide between thought and action and to provide an intellectual foundation for practical reform and for progressive politics

A collection of Bernard Crick's writings comprising everything he ever wrote for The Political Quarterly from the late 1950s to 2008 - newly re-edited and with an Introduction, the collection reveals the intellectual and political development, as well as the wit and style, of one of the most intriguing public intellectuals of the postwar period. Includes articles, reviews, all assignable commentaries, and the first chapter of his abandoned history of the Political Quarterly journal, from the late 1950s to 2008The earliest pieces coincide with his beginnings as a new lecturer at the LSE, follows his ideas, insights and preoccupations through his years as author of the classic In Defence of Politics and his biography of Orwell, to his later work with the Home Office on citizenship and articles written in the last year of his life.Explores how a person universally described in his 2008 obituaries as ambitious, self-centred and personally difficult could assume such an important role in the collective enterprise of The Political Quarterly.A definitive collection, unrivalled in its depth and span of years, covering such perennial (and PQ) issues as public policy, governance, parliamentary reform, education, citizenship, the fortunes of the Labour party, and the evolution of leftward politics in the UK.

An authoritative evaluation of the long-term legacy of New Labour. The first book-length retrospective assessment of New Labour in government which ranges across academic commentary and political debateFeatures brand-new essays from political figures associated with the Labour party, senior commentators and leading academics, all reflecting upon key policy areas and themes in relation to the New Labour administrationsIncludes a Foreword from Baron Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party; an edited conversation regarding the prospects for social democracy between Baroness Shirley Williams, leading Lib Dem politician, and Tony Wright (former Labour MP); and fresh evaluations of the Labour government's record and failings from the Shadow Minister John Denham MPRaises highly topical and important questions about the purpose and future of the Labour Party, and is designed to stimulate debate about the political challenges facing the centre-left in Britain

A reborn collectivism has begun to challenge the neo-liberal orthodoxies of the last fifteen years. But this new collectivism is very different from the state-centred collectivism of the post-war period. It is outward-looking, pluralistic and internationalist. It stands for strong communities, a diverse civil society, bottom-up development and constitutional checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. It also stands for federalist power-sharing in the European Union, and for radical reform of the IMF and World Bank. This book sets out an agenda for the new collectivism which will provide the central themes of left and centre-left politics into the next century.

This collection of specially commissioned essays aims both to broaden understanding of environmental issues, and to explore their implications for politics. The book discusses the concepts of the 'risk society' and 'ecological modernisation', examines the relationship between science, public policy and democratic renewal, and analyses green politics in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.