Tradition, management, democracy and governance in Scottish local government 1996-2008

This thesis analyses the changing nature of Scottish local government between 1996 and 2008. It does so by employing four analytical perspectives (traditional municipal, managerial, democratic and governance). It utilises longitudinal data gained in three case study sites: Fife, Stirling and Highland Councils. The empirical data on which the study is based was gathered between 1996 and 2008 in the three councils. The broad argument of the thesis is that each of these analytical perspectives contributes to an understanding of Scottish local government. However, the managerial, democratic and governance perspectives tend to over-state the degree of change which has occurred. The language of analysis underpinning them would suggest that local government in Scotland, like England, has been transformed by the catalogue of policy interventions and initiatives that have taken place since 1979. Indeed some have gone as far as suggesting 'the demise of traditional local government' in England (Wilson and Stoker 2004: 248). This thesis suggests that Scotland is different and that an understanding of how Scottish local government operates still requires knowledge of the institutional structures associated which traditional municipal local government. Despite three decades of reform, the traditional municipal interpretation of local government retains resonance in Scotland. The new insights gleaned from managerial, democratic and governance perspectives have not fundamentally undermined the traditional local government framework of analysis.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral-pg

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Strathclyde

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• McGarvey, Neil

DOI

10.48730/1qd1-qx69

Identifier

uk.bl.ethos.510678
T12355

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:strathclyde:3j333235z