Publication Date

This title was first published 1983.

Overview

A common method, concern, and argument underlie all of these essays. The method is 'value critical'. The concern is with a more institutionally grounded understanding of why governments do what they do. The argument is substantive, dealing with concrete issues such as the claim for economic resources, social protection, and the organization of social services.

Canonical View

The canonical (that is, the conventional and normative) view is thrown into question, on the implicit assumption that things do not work as expected, that there is inherently a difference between the text and the message.