Creating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Public Services

In this review of Creating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Changing Public Services the reviewer finds a thoughtful, research-driven take on the shift toward consumerism in public services. Written for readers interested in how policy reforms play out on the front line, the book's single biggest strength is its use of original field research with staff, managers and users to illuminate contested relationships in health, policing and social care. This makes it most valuable to students, practitioners and policy analysts seeking grounded insight rather than abstract theory.

Key Features

• Original field research: The book draws on interviews and observations with frontline staff, managers and service users to show how reforms are experienced in practice.
• Cross-sector focus: By examining health, policing and social care the authors provide comparative insight into how consumerist reforms vary across public services.
• Theoretical and practical balance: The text links policy debates about choice and consumerism to everyday practice, helping readers connect ideas with outcomes.
• Multiple-author perspective: Contributions from several scholars bring diverse analytic angles that illuminate contested relationships between government, services and users.
• Contemporary relevance: Discussion of recent controversies about choice in public services keeps the book grounded in ongoing policy debates.

Who It's For

The book is best suited to graduate students, social policy researchers and frontline managers who need a research-informed account of how market-inspired reforms affect service delivery. It will particularly appeal to those studying health policy, criminal justice or social care who want empirical examples rather than purely theoretical exposition.

Readers seeking a how-to manual for implementing consumerist reforms or a brief overview for casual reading should look elsewhere; this is a substantive academic work that assumes some prior interest in public service policy and practice.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Grounded empirical evidence brings credibility to claims about the effects of consumerism in public services.
• Comparative chapters on health, policing and social care reveal sector-specific differences and shared tensions.
• Clear linkage of policy debates to frontline experience helps bridge theory and practice.

Cons

• The book is academic in tone and density, which may be challenging for readers seeking a quick, accessible overview.

Specifications

Title	Creating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Changing Public Services
Authors	John H. Clarke; Janet E Newman; Nick Smith; Elizabeth Vidler; Louise Westmarland
Scope	Health, policing and social care
Approach	Original research with staff, managers and users
Focus	Consumerism and choice in public services
Content type	Theoretical, political, policy and practice issues

Our Verdict

Creating Citizen-Consumers is a valuable, research-led account of how consumerist reform shapes relations between government, services and users. Its empirical focus across health, policing and social care makes it a worthwhile purchase for scholars and practitioners who want evidence-based analysis of contemporary policy tensions and practical implications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include empirical research?
Yes. The authors draw on original field research with frontline staff, managers and service users to support their analysis.

Which public service areas are covered?
The book focuses on health, policing and social care to compare how consumerist reforms play out across sectors.

Is this suitable for casual readers?
It is primarily academic and best suited to students, researchers and professionals rather than casual readers seeking a light overview.