ORGANIZATIONAL REFORM WITHIN GOVERNMENT - ACCOUNTABILITY AND POLICY MANAGEMENT

The article considers, from a United Kingdom perspective, the ways in which relations between Government Departments and Agencies are organi zed to ensure clarity of roles and effective accountability; and also looks at the ongoing need for effective policy management at the centr e of Government. It describes the progress of the Next Steps programme , examining its successes and perceived weaknesses. In particular, it rehearses the debate running in the UK on the question of Ministerial accountability, and considers the distinctions between responsibility and accountability, and between policy matters and operations. ((C) 19 97 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)