New book reviews most challenging developments in British society

A new British Academy publication launches today. New Paradigms in Public Policy reviews some of the most challenging developments in British society as they are understood by policy-makers and academics, including climate change, demographic shifts, ethnic and religious diversity, community and local politics, democratisation, nudge, the international financial crisis, and disillusion with politics and politicians.

 It explores the importance of how academic debates identify a range of ways in which issues can be understood and tackled, but crucially why much policy-making is typically based on a narrow subset of possible approaches. To illustrate why and how academic research can impact policy-making, a variety of topics were explored. These areas range across economic, social and political issues, and allow us to fully understand what is and will be the most challenging developments British Society has ever seen.

Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby, one of the seven authors of the book, said: “New Paradigms in Public Policy contributes to our understanding of governance and particularly of how the ideas that lead the policy agenda emerge and are reinforced. It will also be invaluable in the academic study of policy debate and help develop understanding of the issues which it examines. It is written by leading academics from the fields under discussion and draws on the most up-to-date research.”

New Paradigms in Public Policy, edited by Peter Taylor-Gooby, is published and distributed by Oxford University Press

The authors of New Paradigms in Public Policy are:
Andrew Gamble, University of Cambridge
Ian Gough, London School of Economics
Tariq Modood, University of Bristol
Anne Power, London School of Economics
Gerry Stoker, University of Southampton
Peter Taylor-Gooby, University of Kent
Pat Thane, King’s College, London