Decentering tradition - Interpreting British government

This article argues that the study of traditions is an integral part of the human sciences; it then concentrates on how to study traditions. First, th e authors outline a pragmatic approach to traditions. Next, they illustrate the case by analyzing three features of British government: public sector reform, Thatcherism, and joined-up governance. The authors seek to show tha t it is possible to decenter the idea of tradition and analyze traditions a t several levels. Finally, they discuss the problems posed when analyzing t raditions at different levels of generality, including reifying traditions, essentialism, identifying traditions, and creating traditions.