Quangos - What's in a name? Defining quangos from a comparative perspective

Without definitional clarity the "quango debate" is inherently flawed and m eaningful progress undermined. A possible solution to this problem is propo sed in this article by way of a subsectional map which aims to clarify the quango topography. This accepts the diversity inherent in the quango debate while allowing for increased clarity and focused research. This, the autho rs believe, is the only way forward for practitioners, academics and policy makers working within the sphere of quasi-government. There is a need to ad dress precise forms or subsections of the quango continuum as studies or re forms which focus on one type of quango would not necessarily work if appli ed to all quangos, or quangos in other countries.