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Politicisation of British Civil Service : Ambitions, Limits and Conceptual Problems.
During the period in which the Conservative government was in power, there was no increase in the political activities of British civil servants who remain independent from any overt political activity. On the other hand, the period is characterised by systematic tendencies aimed at limiting the autonomy of civil servants and at assuring their obedience. This politicisation occurred in accordance with criticism emanating from Conservative quarters and followed a three-stage strategy : first, Conservatives undertook to reduce the influence and autonomy of the civil service, then a reform of its organisational and ideological culture was undertaken, and finally political control over civil servants was reaffirmed.

Résumé

This article explores some of the major reasons for the weakness of the European steel unions during the crisis years of 1974–84. The crisis revealed the absence of viable union strategies and the inefficiency of their tactics, and also exposed – and aggravated – the divisions within and between the unions and their inability fully to control their members. The crisis underlined the dilemmas inherent in tripartite crisis management and the problems of adjusting to the internationalization of the market and the Europeanization of decision making. Finally, the crisis highlighted the fact that subcontracting, new technology, new working practices and new patterns of labour relations at plant level harboured damaging implications for union organization and influence.

In an introduction to a special journal issue on industrial privatization in Western Europe, different forms of privatization & the motives & ambitions of the privatizers are examined. The factors that have shaped the various privatization programs are outlined, including: the origins, size, scope, & structure of public sector enterprises; political & institutional arrangements; & differing economic & financial structures. The economic & political impact of the various privatization programs are explored & issues that privatization raises for the future are considered. 2 Tables, 1 Figure. Modified HA

Partial contents: Fragmentation and divisions; The failure to mobilize; The inadequacy of union tactics; The weakness of political channels and institutional mechanisms.