The Official History of the British Civil Service

Reforming the Civil Service, Volume I: The Fulton Years, 1966-81

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Affairs & Administration, History, British
Cover of the book The Official History of the British Civil Service by Rodney Lowe, Taylor and Francis
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Author: Rodney Lowe ISBN: 9781136830136
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: January 25, 2011
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Rodney Lowe
ISBN: 9781136830136
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: January 25, 2011
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This first volume of the Official History of the UK Civil Service covers its evolution from the Northcote-Trevelyan Report of 1854 to the first years of Mrs Thatcher’s government in 1981.

Despite current concerns with good governance and policy delivery, little serious attention has been paid to the institution vital to both: the Civil Service. This Official History is designed to remedy this by placing present problems in historical context and by providing a helpful structure in which others, and particularly former officials, may contribute to the debate. Starting with the seminal 1854 Northcote-Trevelyan Report, it covers the ‘lost opportunity’ of the 1940s when the Service failed to adapt the needs of ‘big government’ as advocated by Beveridge and Keynes. It then examines, in greater detail, the belated attempts at modernisation in the 1960s, the Service’s vilification in the 1970s and the final destruction of the ‘old order’ during the first years of Mrs Thatcher’s government.

Particular light is shed on the origins of such current concerns as

  • the role of special advisers
  • the need for a Prime Minister’s Department
  • the evolution of Parliamentary Select Committees to resolve the potential tension between bureaucracy and Parliamentary democracy.

This Official History is based on extensive research into both recently released and unreleased papers as well as interviews with leading participants. It has important lessons to offer all those, both inside and outside the UK, seeking to improve the quality of democratic government.

This book will be of great interest to all students of British history, British government and politics, and of public administration in general.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This first volume of the Official History of the UK Civil Service covers its evolution from the Northcote-Trevelyan Report of 1854 to the first years of Mrs Thatcher’s government in 1981.

Despite current concerns with good governance and policy delivery, little serious attention has been paid to the institution vital to both: the Civil Service. This Official History is designed to remedy this by placing present problems in historical context and by providing a helpful structure in which others, and particularly former officials, may contribute to the debate. Starting with the seminal 1854 Northcote-Trevelyan Report, it covers the ‘lost opportunity’ of the 1940s when the Service failed to adapt the needs of ‘big government’ as advocated by Beveridge and Keynes. It then examines, in greater detail, the belated attempts at modernisation in the 1960s, the Service’s vilification in the 1970s and the final destruction of the ‘old order’ during the first years of Mrs Thatcher’s government.

Particular light is shed on the origins of such current concerns as

This Official History is based on extensive research into both recently released and unreleased papers as well as interviews with leading participants. It has important lessons to offer all those, both inside and outside the UK, seeking to improve the quality of democratic government.

This book will be of great interest to all students of British history, British government and politics, and of public administration in general.

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