Westminster, Governance and the Politics of Policy Inaction

‘Do Nothing’

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, International
Cover of the book Westminster, Governance and the Politics of Policy Inaction by Stephen Barber, Palgrave Macmillan UK
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen Barber ISBN: 9781137487063
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK Publication: November 24, 2016
Imprint: Palgrave Pivot Language: English
Author: Stephen Barber
ISBN: 9781137487063
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication: November 24, 2016
Imprint: Palgrave Pivot
Language: English

This book shows how political inaction has shaped the politics, economy and society we recognize today, despite the fact that policymakers are incentivised to act and to be seen to act decisively. Politicians make decisions which affect our lives every day but in our combative Westminster system, are usually only held to account for those which change something. But what about decisions to do nothing?  What about policy which is discarded in favour of an alternative? What about opposition for naked political advantage? This book argues that not only is policy inaction an overlooked part of British politics but also that it is just as important as active policy and can have just as significant an impact on society. Addressing the topic for perhaps the first time, it offers a provocative analysis of ‘do nothing’ politics. It shows why politicians are rarely incentivized to do nothing, preferring hyperactivity.  It explores the philosophical and structural drivers of inaction when it happens and highlights the contradictions in behavior. It explains why Attlee and Thatcher enjoyed lasting policy legacies to this day, and considers the nature of opposition and the challenge of holding ‘do nothing’ policy decisions to account.                                                                                                            

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

This book shows how political inaction has shaped the politics, economy and society we recognize today, despite the fact that policymakers are incentivised to act and to be seen to act decisively. Politicians make decisions which affect our lives every day but in our combative Westminster system, are usually only held to account for those which change something. But what about decisions to do nothing?  What about policy which is discarded in favour of an alternative? What about opposition for naked political advantage? This book argues that not only is policy inaction an overlooked part of British politics but also that it is just as important as active policy and can have just as significant an impact on society. Addressing the topic for perhaps the first time, it offers a provocative analysis of ‘do nothing’ politics. It shows why politicians are rarely incentivized to do nothing, preferring hyperactivity.  It explores the philosophical and structural drivers of inaction when it happens and highlights the contradictions in behavior. It explains why Attlee and Thatcher enjoyed lasting policy legacies to this day, and considers the nature of opposition and the challenge of holding ‘do nothing’ policy decisions to account.                                                                                                            

More books from Palgrave Macmillan UK

Cover of the book Geography and Memory by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Rape in Wartime by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Knowing Governance by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book The Postfeminist Biopic by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Book Destruction from the Medieval to the Contemporary by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book The Politics of Feminist Knowledge Transfer by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book In Defense of Intuitions by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Body, Soul and Cyberspace in Contemporary Science Fiction Cinema by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Reinterpreting the Dutch Forty Years War, 1672–1713 by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book The Social License by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Advancing Media Production Research by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Media Boundaries and Conceptual Modelling by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Adorno and Performance by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Firm-Level Internationalization, Regionalism and Globalization by Stephen Barber
Cover of the book Gay Men’s Working Lives, Retirement and Old Age by Stephen Barber
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy