The aim of this module is to analyse and explain the changing nature of policy-making in contemporary Britain, with particular emphasis on the period since 1979. Specifically, the module examines the impact of new forms of 'governance' on the policy-making process and the changing roles and responsibilities of the British state.

Taking the alleged shift from an era of 'government' to one of 'governance', and thence to an era of 'joined up government' as its central theme, the module interrogates key controversies in contemporary British political science. Examples here include the impact of 'governance', of New Right ideology, of Europeanization and of globalization on British public policy in recent years.

The module also assesses the role(s) of pressure groups and 'new social movements' in the policy process and changing relations within the 'core executive' (notably, between ministers and civil servants) in recent years. Finally, the module seeks to explain and assess 'New' Labour's attempts to 'reform' and 'modernise' the British state (notably via devolved governance) and the policy process in Westminster and Whitehall (via parliamentary 'reform' and 'joined up government') since 1997.