The State Under Contract

Governmental restructuring is much in vogue. Throughout the developed and developing world, governments are selling state assets, reorganising government departments, contracting out publicly funded services, and reforming their management systems.
One of the most distinctive and controversial features of New Zealand's reforms is the emphasis on contractualist modes of governance, including the use of new kinds of contracting within the public sector. These massive reforms raise important questions about the future role of the state. They also raise issues concerning the accountability of public agencies, the ethos of the public service, the proper scope of judicial review, and the appropriate limits to contracting out.
The essays in The State Under Contract examine the issues surrounding 'the new contractualism'. While most of the chapters focus on New Zealand, some explore state-sector reforms in Australia, Canada and the United States. The book concludes with an analysis of the philosophical foundations underpinning the increasing reliance on market mechanisms and consumer preferences.