{"product_id":"creating-citizen-consumers-changing-publics-and-public-services","title":"Creating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Public Services","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal field research:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book draws on interviews and observations with frontline staff, managers and service users to show how reforms are experienced in practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCross-sector focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e By examining health, policing and social care the authors provide comparative insight into how consumerist reforms vary across public services.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical and practical balance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text links policy debates about choice and consumerism to everyday practice, helping readers connect ideas with outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultiple-author perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contributions from several scholars bring diverse analytic angles that illuminate contested relationships between government, services and users.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussion of recent controversies about choice in public services keeps the book grounded in ongoing policy debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrounded empirical evidence brings credibility to claims about the effects of consumerism in public services.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComparative chapters on health, policing and social care reveal sector-specific differences and shared tensions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear linkage of policy debates to frontline experience helps bridge theory and practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is academic in tone and density, which may be challenging for readers seeking a quick, accessible overview.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCreating Citizen-Consumers: Changing Publics and Changing Public Services\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJohn H. Clarke; Janet E Newman; Nick Smith; Elizabeth Vidler; Louise Westmarland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHealth, policing and social care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal research with staff, managers and users\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConsumerism and choice in public services\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical, political, policy and practice issues\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreating 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book include empirical research?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The authors draw on original field research with frontline staff, managers and service users to support their analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich public service areas are covered?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book focuses on health, policing and social care to compare how consumerist reforms play out across sectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this suitable for casual readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is primarily academic and best suited to students, researchers and professionals rather than casual readers seeking a light overview.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John H. Clarke, Janet E Newman, Nick Smith, Elizabeth Vidler, Louise Westmarland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48249213485275,"sku":"1412921333","price":220.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51WNpu7isxL._SL1491.jpg?v=1770926608","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/creating-citizen-consumers-changing-publics-and-public-services","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}