Why Does Policy Change? - Lessons from British Transport Policy 1945-99 (Electronic book text)

The tension between policy stability and change is a key political phenomenon, but its dynamics have been little understood. Why does Policy Change? examines and explains the dynamics of major policy change by looking at case studies from British Transport policy since 1945. The significant contrasts between road and rail policies in this period lend themselves perfectly to the authors' theories of what brings about policy turnabout. Road building saw a massive increase in the post-war years. Seen as the ideal solution, policy became dominated by a hegemonic community. Rail policy on the other hand has been characterized by a rapid decline. The legacy of Dr. Beeching and his concept of the 'commercial railway' has become more apparent in recent years, with a weak rail infrastructure unable to provide a viable alternative to the massive growth in road traffic. Written for researchers in political science and policy analysis, including postgraduate policy analysis courses, and those in the transport policy community, Why does Policy Change? is a highly topical book which applies all the latest public policy theories to British transport policy.