"The Labour government's modernisation proposal for local government promise to bring about a new era of local democracy through which local authorities are more in touch with their citizens. But how are local authorities responding to this modernisation agenda, and what problems face those who would reform local democracy?".

"This book brings together existing research on different features of the democratic renewal agenda in order to investigate these questions. It includes a contribution from the main architect of the modernisation agenda as well as recent research on various features of democratic renewal already taking shape in local government.

In so doing it provides a valuable exploration of Labour's modernisation plans which will be of use to anyone who is concerned with local government or local democracy."--BOOK JACKET.