Suchergebnisse

This article reviews developments in Scottish local government post-devolution. In doing so it outlines some expectations, assumptions and realities about local government in Scotland. Three assumptions are examined and rejected: 1999 was "Year Zero" for Scottish local government; central-local relations are characterised by a cohesive centre versus a cohesive locality; central-local relations in Scotland are nothing more than a fuzzy microcosm of central-local relations in England. The article argues that Scotland increasingly offers a different "story" of central-local government relations with pre-existing differences accentuating in the context of minority government, different processes of governance and attitudes to the welfare state. Adapted from the source document.

This article reviews developments in Scottish local government post-devolution. In doing so it outlines some expectations, assumptions and realities about local government in Scotland. Three assumptions are examined and rejected: 1999 was 'Year Zero' for Scottish local government; central–local relations are characterised by a cohesive centre versus a cohesive locality; central–local relations in Scotland are nothing more than a fuzzy microcosm of central–local relations in England. The article argues that Scotland increasingly offers a different 'story' of central–local government relations with pre-existing differences accentuating in the context of minority government, different processes of governance and attitudes to the welfare state.

This article adopts a relativist philosophical stance reviewing alternative conceptualisations of 'accountability in public administration'. It evaluates traditional, democratic, professional, managerialist, governance, regulatory and rational choice perspectives of accountability. By analysing each perspective we can see what each reveals (as well as neglects). By asking different questions and providing different answers each perspective has heuristic qualities that allow us to analyse in sufficient depth what 'accountability in public administration' amounts to. This analysis suggests that while accountability may be improving within and between public organisations (through managerial and regulatory codes) there remain question marks as regards accountability to the wider public.

The Scottish government is currently experiencing an extraordinary phase of transition politics. Several recently published books (1999-2001), reviewed here, allow the reader to move beyond influential & important works of the past & focus on issues that are shaping contemporary politics. The books examine changes in Scotland's political environment, new parliamentary structures, multilayered governance, & Scottish identity. In addition, these books discuss features of the new parliament, Scottish political institutions, devolution, & the referendum that led to devolution. While these issues are important, it must be pointed out that though most existing work on Scottish politics is dated, these more recent publications are not yet comprehensive enough to serve as political textbooks. It has been two years since Scotland's parliament was established; yet, a political science-based report of Scottish politics remains absent. It is unfortunate that the seven books reviewed here fail to offer such an account. 1 Table, 82 References. K. A. Larsen