Regulation Inside Government

This book provides an in-depth analysis of internal government regulation in the UK, highlighting the extensive oversight mechanisms in place and their growth despite reductions in public bureaucracy elsewhere.

Regulation Inside Government offers an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms of oversight within the British government, drawing on two years of direct access to its inner workings. The authors, a team of esteemed scholars, investigate the extensive network of inspectors, auditors, and other regulatory bodies that monitor public organizations. By providing a detailed analysis, the book sheds light on the complex structure of internal regulation, which is surprisingly comparable in scale to the regulation imposed on the private sector.

The text begins by highlighting the sheer volume of internal regulatory activities, revealing a system that has expanded even as external public bureaucracies have faced significant cutbacks. This growth raises important questions about the nature and effectiveness of government oversight, particularly in light of the limitations of traditional constitutional checks on executive power. The authors argue that the increasing prominence of internal regulation warrants greater scrutiny and understanding, as it plays a crucial role in shaping how public organizations operate.

As one of the first comprehensive examinations of this topic, Regulation Inside Government fills a notable gap in the literature. It encourages readers to rethink the dynamics of governance and accountability, emphasizing that internal regulation is a vital aspect of public administration that has often been overlooked. By illuminating these processes, the book contributes to a broader dialogue about the role of regulation in ensuring effective governance and public service delivery.