The Politics of British Public Services (U03702)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-PBPS

This course will consider recent developments in British public services to understand the political forces behind the changing nature of the way services are being organised and managed to promote a culture of enterprise rather than sustaining traditional notions of a welfare state. Attention will be paid to the views and definitions of the different stakeholders, including service users, citizens, trades unions, professionals, managers, and Government. Topics will include issues of marketisation, such as privatisation, competition, consumerism and payment by results, as well as broader themes around the management and measurement of resource efficiency (including the role of the Treasury), effectiveness, equity and citizenship. The contexts chosen will primarily be health services, social care services and education, although others may be used for illustration. Recent developments by the 'New' Labour Government in its modernisation agenda will be contrasted with 'old' Labour and previous Conservative Governments.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Other subject areas

Social Policy, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
24/09/2007	16:10	18:00	Room G.01, William Robertson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	16:10	18:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able, by the end of the course:

(i) To understand the changes and differences that have occurred in the delivery of public services in Britain over the last few decades
(ii) To develop a critical awareness of the politics and rationale behind the New Labour modernisation agenda
(iii) To understand how the welfare state has been transformed through various policy instruments within specific public services as well as through the Treasury
(iv) To identify and understand the different perspectives and interests of the various stakeholders.