The Search for Democratic Renewal The Politics of Consultation in Britain and Australia

Why is the search for democratic renewal so elusive? This book examines both the political and policy implications of efforts by the centre-left to transform democracy. This is a story not only about democratic change, but also the identity crisis of centre-left political parties.

The book offers a fresh critique of the Big Society agenda, and analyses why both left and right are searching for democratic renewal. Drawing on high-profile interviews and examining an in-depth series of comparative cases, the book argues that the centre-left's search for democratic renewal contains a range of policy and political aims, contradictions and tensions. It will be of interest to students, academics, researchers, interest groups and policy analysts interested in consultation, democratic renewal, labour politics, and Australian and British politics.

Rob Manwaring is a Lecturer in Politics and Public Policy at Flinders University, South Australia.

1. Labour in Flux
2. Labour, Democratic Renewal and the New Social Democracy
3. Understanding Political Participation
4. Political Participation: Continuity and Change
5. New Social Democratic Governments in Britain and Australia
6. National Conversations
7. Engagement at the Regional Level
8. Beyond the Glittering Facade
References
Index