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The author assesses the theoretical & methodological utility of concepts of policy network analysis. He focuses on David Marsh & Martin J. Smith's (2001) dialectical approach to policy study, which aspires to resolve the limitations of overly abstract megalevel theories as well as those of microlevel theories that tend to overly localize policy study. However, Marsh & Smith's approach has its own limitations in that, primarily, it is insufficiently dialectical. The author endorses the dynamic, pluralistic, & nontotalizing potential of the dialectical model & urges its further theoretic refinement. 2 Figures, 16 References. K. Coddon

A review essay on books by (1) R. Blackburn & R. Plant (Eds), Constitutional Reform (London & New York: Longman, 1999); (2) M. Foley, The Politics of the British Constitution (Manchester: Manchester U Press, 1999); (3) R. Hazell (Ed), Constitutional Futures: A History of the Next Ten Years (Oxford: Oxford U Press, 1999); & (4) K. Sutherland (Ed), The Rape of the Constitution? (Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2000). These four books focus on two aspects of contemporary British government: the limits inherent in British parliamentary democracy & the Labour government's influence on the rise of a new constitutionalism. Blackburn & Plant's objective is to determine how the Labour Party's objectives can be achieved while still taking constitutional reforms into consideration. Though this objective is met, three weaknesses are evident: the book's timing, its ineffective introduction, & its lack of an integrating concluding chapter. Sutherland fails entirely in his attempt to outline contemporary constitutional reform. In fact, his book offers little toward the development of any sort of reform program. Hazel's work is a project stemming from the Constitution Unit. Its primary purpose is to examine the effects of recently instituted constitutional reform programs. Although the collection offers an important account of "present-descriptive" & "future-prescriptive"eform, because it went to press too early, important considerations are absent. Foley's book is not only interesting & original, but also worthy of critical attention. However, Foley fails to develop his ideas, & his lack of historical sense is evident. 21 References. Adapted from the source document.

This article provides a preliminary examination of the political consequences of constitutional reform for the territorial management of the British State. Drawing on European integration theory, it argues that the constitutional reform process can best be examined through the lens of a modified neo ficnctionalist approach which allows the political scientist to: (1) study constitutional reform as a process; (2) describe what appears to be going on in the process; (3) identify factors of integration and disintegration; and, (4), predict future outcomes. It concludes that although the New Constitutionalism is likely to be plagued by factors of disintegration that will undermine territorial management and administration, these will be counterbalanced by factors of integration which will increase the radicalism of reform and the scope and intensity of change.

Recent, influential theories of liberalism have attempted to maximise respect for the diversity in conceptions of the good life by trying to purge the justifications for their own political principles of any controversial ideal. This paper argues that this wel-meaning move ought to be resisted, as it undermines liberalism's ability to defend and promote itself.