Partnerships, New Labour and the governance of welfare

Abstract

Current policy encourages 'partnerships' - between statutory organisations and professionals; public and private sectors; with voluntary organisations and local communities. But is this collaborative discourse really as distinctive as the Labour Government claims? How far do contemporary partnerships exemplify an approach to governing which is based on networks (as distinct from hierarchies and markets)? These claims are critically examined, using evidence from a wide range of welfare partnerships, including health and social services, regeneration, pensions and community development.