Centralised Decentralisation: Education and Training in the Contract State

Abstract

In this paper the development of the contract State and the unfolding of its many contradictions is assessed by the detailed consideration of education and training policy. Policy in these areas provide good case studies of the contract State for the following reasons. In Western Europe the link between education, training and economic performance have been hypothesised as crucial in an increasingly competitive and quality conscious world market place. Equally, education and training policies have implications for social and cultural development and therefore have a further ‘public good’ element. The public visibility of these issues and their significance for economic and social wellbeing makes it difficult for governments to deny some responsibility for ensuring the ‘system’ works effectively. In a comparison of different European approaches to these problems recent past British governments appear to be more resolutely free market than their neighbours, however, closer examination of policy suggests the development of new forms of state involvement through the contracting or franchising principle.

Citation

Vickerstaff, S. and Ainley, P. (1994), "Centralised Decentralisation: Education and Training in the Contract State", Management Research News, Vol. 17 No. 7/8/9, pp. 22-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb028349