PRIVATISING REGULATION

In: Australian journal of public administration, Band 49, Heft 4, S. 419-430

Abstract

Abstract: The current political climate appears to foster policies often described as "deregulatory" and to promote an attitude that the administrative machinery of the state should be dismantled. It may be assumed that such policies accompany a reduction in the amount of state intervention in the economy and society. This article argues that in fact state intervention may not be diminishing as much as might be thought. Instead, the form of intervention is changing. Instead of bureaucratic intervention by central authorities, there is a tendency to create mechanisms, often but not invariably legal mechanisms, which may be enforced by private individuals and corporations. Though possibly attractive because of the reduced cost of administrative structures and personnel, the "privatisation" of state regulation may have more disadvantages than advantages.