Vincent Wright

Reshaping the state: The implications for public administration

Reshaping the states of Western Europe has direct implications for their respective public sectors. Broad convergent pressures have led to largely similar reform programmes. However, differences remain across Western Europe in the nature, style, timing and pace of the reforms. These differences may be explained by analysing the nature of the pressures, the size and scope of the traditional public sector, the ambitions of governments, as well as their ideological commitment and political durability, and the domestic political opportunity structure. The reform programmes being pursued in several countries are characterised by contradictions, paradoxes and problems.

The Administrative Machine: Old Problems and New Dilemmas

Recent developments have created unprecedented tensions and problems for the French administration. Those tensions and problems are related to the self-image of the administration, its functioning and its role. They highlight the fact that whilst the administration may have acquired a certain autonomy, it is nevertheless sensitive to the changing moods and conflicts of the state and society it serves.