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Original Articles

Narrating the British state: an interpretive critique of New Labour's institutionalism

Pages 455-480 | Published online: 01 Dec 2010

References

  • Granovetter , M. 1973 . The Strength of Weak TKS‘ . American Journal of Sociology , 78 : 1360 – 80 . M Granovetter (1985) 'Economic Action and Social Structure: The Problem of Embeddedness’, American Journal of Sociology, 91: 481–510
  • Cm . 1998 . Our Competitive Future: Building the Knowledge Driven Economy , London : Stationery Office . 4176
  • Osborne , D. and Baebler , T. 1992 . Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit is Transforming the Public Sector , Reading , MA : Addison-Wesley .
  • March , J. and Olsen , J. 1984 . “ The New Institutionalism: Organisational Factors in Political Life ” . In American Political Science Review Vol. 78 , 738 and P. Hall (1986) Governing the Economy: The Politics of State Intervention in Britain and France, Cambridge: Polity Press, p. 20
  • Granovetter , M. Iconomic Action’; and Powell & DiMaggio . New Institutionalism. ,
  • Granovetter , M. 1994 . “ Business Groups’, in N. Smelser &R. Swedberg ” . In Handbook of Economic Sociology , 453 – 75 . Princeton : Princeton University Press . and Powell, ‘Neither Market nor Hierarchy’
  • Institutionalists often elide good in the sense of promoting community with good in terms of a quasi-Darwinian notion of success. Perri 6, for example, says, 'a 'good' institution... is a more viable one than others that might, in a given social setting, emerge ... [it] is one that promotes organic rather than mechanical solidarities’. Perri 6, ‘Neo-Durkheimian Institutional Theory’, Paper to Conference on Institutional Theory in Political Science, Loch Lomond,
  • For the link between networks and innovation see W. Powell K. Koput L. Smith-Doerr 1996 Interorganizational Collaboration and the Locus of Innovation: Networks of Learning in Biotechnology Administrative Science Quarterly 41 116 - 45 and C. DeBresson &E Amesse (1991) Networks of Innovators, Special Issue of Research Policy 20 .
  • Granovetter , M. 1993 . “ Business Groups ” . In Making Social , Edited by: Putnam , R. 160 Democracy Work : Civic Traditions in Modem Italy, Princeton .
  • R. Rhodes (1997) Understanding Governance, partie, chs 1 &3 R. Rhodes Its the Mix that Matters: From Marketisation to Diplomacy Australian Journal of Public Administration 56 40 - 53 and G. Stoker (1999) Introduction: The Unintended Costs and Benefits of New Management Reform for British Local Governance’, in G. Stoker The New Management of British Local Governance, London: Macmillan, pp. 1–21 .
  • Interpretivism includes, of course, a variety of different approaches, as discussed in M. Bevir R. Rhodes Interpreting British Governance London Routledge 2003 17 44 . In particular, whereas I am assuming that meanings are best understood in terms of the beliefs of agents, other interpretivists understand them in terms of social discourses conceived as quasistructures. For the philosophical underpinnings of my approach see M. Bevir, The Logic of the History of Ideas (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999), pp. 31–77. Although an analysis of meanings in terms of the beliefs of individuals precludes a strong structuralism, it is compatible with a more dialectical view of structure and agency such that agents are always socially embedded. See Bevir, Logic, pp. 187–99 .
  • See R. Rhodes 1988 Beyond Westminster and Whitehall London Unwin-Hyman, pp. 77-8 D. Marsh & R. Rhodes (1992) Policy Networks in British Government, Oxford: Clarendon Press, p. 251; F. van Waarden (1992) !Dimensions and Types of Policy Networks‘, European Journal of Political Research, 21:29–52; and S. Wilks &M. Wright (1987) 'Conclusion: Comparing Government-Industry Relations: States, Sectors, and Networks’, in S. Wilks &M. Wright Comparative Government Industry Relations, Oxford: Clarendon Press, p. 300 .
  • Finnemore , Compare M. 1996 . Norms, Culture, and World Politics: Insights from Sociology's Institutionalism . International Organization , 50 : 325 – 47 .
  • Powell and DiMaggio . New Institutionalism; and Marsh &Rhodes . Policy Networks , 261 See
  • Perri 6, ‘Neo-Durkheimian’. The neo-Durkheimians, like interpretivists, recognise that beliefs and classification are integral to culture and institutions. However, whereas interpretivists treat systems of classification as embedded within the contingent beliefs of particular actors, neo-Durkheimians treat them as quasi-structures that prescribe the content of agency, culture, and institutions. Thus, whereas interpretivists seek historical narratives of the construction of different systems of belief and the practices these inspire, neoDurkheimians seek typologies or grids that define the characteristics of an allegedly finite number of possible systems of classification. Also see C. Hood 1998 The Art of the State: Culture, Rhetoric, and Public Management Oxford Clarendon Press .
  • Downs , A. 1957 . An Economic Theory of Democracy , 27 – 8 . New York : Harper & Row .
  • J. Elster 1983 Sour Grapes: Studies in the Subversion of Rationality Cambridge Cambridge University Press, p . 1 . Some rational choice theorists hope thereby to incorporate norms, values, and even beliefs as sources of preferences. See W. Mitchell (1993) “The Shape of Public Choice to Come: Some Predictions and Advice’, Public Choice, 77:133-44; and C. Vicchaeri (1993) Rationality and Coordination, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 221-4 .
  • On the undervaluing of ‘problematizing redescription’ in other forms of political science see I. Shapiro (2002) ‘Problems, Methods, and Theories in the Study of Politics, or: What's Wrong with Political Science and What to do About it’, Political Theory.
  • For an analysis of the concepts of tradition and dilemma see Bevir, Logic, pp. 200-18 &223-52.
  • Because network theorists use their theory to explain the successes of Asian economies, New Labour politicians at times have found themselves asking what British social democracy might learn from authoritarian states such as Singapore. See T. Blair, Speech to the Singapore Business Community, 8 January 1996.
  • While here is not the place to document the temporal and conceptual links that fix the tradition of Christian idealism, we might note that Karl Polanyi, one of the godfathers of institutionalism, was a member of the Christian left inspired by John Macmurray, the idealist philosopher who inspired Blair's conversion to socialism: M. Bevir &D. O‘Brien, 'From Idealism to Communitarianism: The Inheritance and Legacy of John Macmurray‘, History of Political Thought (forthcoming). We also might note how Reinhard Bendix, another godfather of institutionalism, interpreted Max Weber so as to ignore his debt to Nietzsche in favour of a more straightforward, almost Hegelian reading: W. Hennis (1988) Max Weber: Essays in Reconstruction, trans. K. Tribe, London: Alien &Unwin ; and F. Tenbruck 1980 The Problem of Thematic Unity in the Work of Max Weber British Journal of Sociology 31 316–51
  • Blair, New Britain, p. 300.
  • Compare Granovetter Economic Action Perri 6, ‘Neo-Durkheimian’; and Blair, New Britain
  • C. Hay 1999 The Political Economy of New Labour: Labouring Under False Pretences Manchester Manchester University Press A. Hozic, ‘Markets, Networks, Hierarchies: The New Institutionalism in Theory and Practice’, unpublished paper; and Schwartz, ‘Down the Wrong Path’ .
  • Bevir , M. New Labour: A Study in Ideology . British Journal of Politics and International Relations , 3 ( 2000 ) 277 – 301 .
  • Mandelson , P. and Liddle , R. 1996 . The Blair Revolution , 27 London : Faber &Faber, p .
  • Contrast Hay Political Economy; and Hozic, ‘Markets, Networks, Hierarchies’.
  • Perri 6 (1997) Escaping Poverty: From Safety Nets to Networks of Opportunity, London: Demos. Compare M. Granovetter (1974) Getting a Job: A Study of Contracts and Careers, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; and M. Granovetter (1988) “The Sociological and Economic Approaches to Labor Market Analysis: A Social Structural View’, in G. Parkas P. England Industries, Firms and Jobs: Sociological and Economic Approaches New York Plenum Press .
  • D. dark, speech, “The Civil Service and the New Government’, London, 17 June 1997.
  • Cm 4176 Our Competitive Future , p. 12.
  • Wilson's reputation has improved noticeably alongside the Labour Party's rejection of demand-management in favour of intervening in the supply-side to promote knowledge and technology. See R. Coopey, S. Fielding & N. Tiratsoo (1993) The Wilson Governments, 1964–1970, London: Pinter ; and B. Pimlott 1992 Harold Wilson London Harper Collins .
  • Leadbeater , C. 1999 . Living on Thin Air , Harmondsworth : Penguin .
  • Mulgan , G. 1997 . Connexity , London : Jonathan Cape .
  • Granovetter , M. and Swedberg , R. 1992 . The Sociology of Economic Life , Boulder, CO : Westview Press . For the link between sociological institutionalism and institutional economics see especially
  • Blair 1996 ‘A Stakeholder Society’; and also T. Blair, speech, The Stakeholder Economy‘, Derby, 18 January; T. Blair, speech, 'Faith in the City - Ten Years On‘, London, 29 January 1996; and T. Blair, speech, John Smith Memorial Lecture’, London, 7 February 1996 .
  • T. Blair 1998 The Third Way: New Politics for the New Century, Fabian Pamphlet no. 588, London: Fabian Society; and also T. Blair, speech, ‘Facing the Modern Challenge: The Third Way in Britain and South Africa’, Cape Town, 8 January 1999; T. Blair, speech, ‘To the IPPR’, London, 14 January 1999; and T. Blair, Third Way, Phase Two’, Prospect, 10–14 March 2001 .
  • 4011 , Cm . 1998 . Modern Public Services for Britain 57 Col No: 67: Investing in Reform , London : Stationery Office .
  • Field , F. 1997 . Reforming Welfare , 78 – 80 . London : Social Markets Foundation .
  • Blair, New Britain, p. 302.
  • 3805 , Cm . 1998 . New Ambitions for Our Country: A New Contract for Welfare , v London : Stationery Office, p .
  • 4076 , Cm . 1998 . Steering a Course for Lasting Prosperity , 61 London : Stationery Office, p .
  • Cm 3805, New Ambitions, p. 25.
  • Cabinet Office, Service First 1 October 1998 http://www.servicefirst.gov.uk/sfirst/bkl2toc.html (http://www.servicefirst.gov.uk/sfirst/bkl2toc.html)
  • Cabinet Office, Better Quality Services, available online at , 1 October 1998.
  • Blair, New Britain, p. 292.
  • Cm 4176, Our Competitive Future, p. 7.
  • Leadbeater , C. 1999 . Europe's New Economy , London : Centre for European Reform . C. Leadbeater (1999) Living on Thin Air;, Britain: The California of Europe?, London: Demos; and, for the extension of his vision to the European Union
  • Cited J. Heastfield 1997 Brand New Britain LM Maganne November Also see M. Leonard Britain Renewing Our Identity, London: Demos
  • C. Leadbeater & G. Mulgan 1996 Mistakeholding: Whatever Happened to Labour's Big Idea? London Demos and G. Stoker (2000) “The Three Projects of New Labour’, Renewal, 8: 7–15 .
  • Observer, 31 May 1998.
  • Pern 6 1997 Holistic Government London Demos and Perri 6 (1999) D. Leat, K. Seltzer, & G. Stoker, Governing in the Round: Strategies for Holistic Government, London: Demos .
  • The Foreign Policy Centre, Mission Centre, available online at <http://www.fpc.org.uk/mission> (<http://www.fpc.org.uk/mission>.)
  • Ibid.
  • Cm . 1999 . Modernising Government , 24 London : Stationery Office . 4310
  • Pierre , J. and Stoker , G. 2000 . “ Towards Multi-Level Governance ” . In Developments in British Politics , Edited by: Dunleavy , P. , Gamble , A. and Holiday , I. 6 Basingstoke : Macmillan .
  • Rhodes Understanding Governance , pp. 17–19.
  • Hennessey , P. 1998 . The Blair Style of Government . Government and Opposition , 33 : 3 – 20 . The many attempts to strengthen No. 10 are discussed by
  • Cm 4310, Modernising Government, p. 56.
  • Ibid., p. 6.
  • 4045 , Cm . 1998 . Bringing Britain Together: A National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal , London : Stationery Office .
  • Department for Education and Employment, Action Teams 6 January 2001 http://www.dfee.gov.uk/actionteams/what.cfm (http://www.dfee.gov.uk/actionteams/what.cfm)
  • 3807 , Cm . 1997 . The New National Health Service: Modern, Dependable , 45 London : Stationary Office, p .
  • Kickert , W. , Klijn , E-H. and Koppenjan , J. 1998 . “ Managing Networks in the Public Sector: Findings and Reflections ” . In Managing Complex Networks: Strategies for the Public Sector , Edited by: Kickert , W. , Klijn , E-H. and Koppenjan , J. London : Sage . For an overview see
  • Stoker Urban Political Science’ , pp. 98–104.
  • Mulgan , G. and 6 , Perri . 1996 . The Local is Coming Home: Decentralisation by Degrees . Demos Quarterly , 9 : 3 – 7 .
  • Lowndes , V. 2000 . “ Rebuilding Trust in Central/Local Relations: Policy or Passion? ” . In Renewing Local Democracy , Edited by: Pratchett , L. London : Frank Cass .
  • Department of Education and Employment, Action Teams.
  • Department of Health . 1998 . “ The New NHS, Modern and Dependable: A National Framework for Assessing Performance ” . London : Stationary Office . and Department of Health (1999) A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS, London: Stationery Office
  • Cm 4310, Modernising Government, p. 55.
  • Office , Cabinet . 1994 . Civil Service Management Code , London : HMSO . para. 101–12 & pp. cxxvi–cxxvii
  • 2748 , Cm . 1995 . The Civil Service: Taking Forward Continuity and Change , 5 – 6 . London : HMSO .
  • Office , Cabinet . 1997 . Ministerial Code: A Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Ministers , London : Cabinet Office . 21 para. 56
  • Ibid., p. 13.
  • Compare Perri 6, Holistic Government.
  • Leadbeater , Compare C. 1997 . The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur , London : Demos; and C. Leadbeater & S. Goss . (1998) Civic Entrepreneurship, London: Demos
  • Perri 6 et al., Governing in the Round.
  • Perri 6, Holistic Government.
  • The marginalization of meanings, contingency, and agency surely derives from the institutionalists, often avowed, commitment to ‘structural’ analysis as opposed to historical narratives. See Granovetter, ‘Sociological and Economic Approaches’ ; and P. DiMaggio Structural Analysis of Organizational Fields , in B. Staw L. Cummings 1986 Research in Organizational Behaviour 8 Greenwich , CT JAI Press

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