Regulatory rationales beyond the economic - In search of the public interest

This article contends that regulation in certain fields should incorporate and give emphasis to values beyond those of market economics. It is argued here that the frame of reference of the market is too narrow to encompass properly a range of social and political values which are established in liberal democracies and can be seen as constitutional in nature. Examples from fields such as environmental regulation and regulation of the media are used here to illustrate a range of non-economic values which have been, are, or should be reflected in regulatory theory and practice as a means of recognising and reflecting principles related to social justice. Such principles extend beyond, and may be antithetical to the practices, values, and outcomes of market-driven decision-making

Regulating media markets in the public interest: principles beyond competition

The difficulties of regulating the giant corporations whichoperate within the broadcast and print media are well-charted. Whetheron a local, national or international scale, establishing or maintaininganything beyond a meager oligopolistic version of competition appears tobe a near impossible task. Despite this, governments persist with regulatory intervention to pursue a competitive environment, or at least address the consequences of oligopoly. It is clear, however, that such interventions incorporate “public interest” premises which extend beyond the economic values associated with the effective or efficient operation ofmarkets. This article explores these issues in the context of two recentdevelopments in the U.K.: the regulatory and legal response to BSkyB’s purchase of a substantial shareholding in ITV, and, the Inquiry of theHouse of Lords Select Committee on Communications into media ownership and its impact on news output. These developments illustrate the importance of clear principles within the conceptual frameworkwhich underpins the regulatory endeavour in this area

Regulatory rationales beyond the economic - In search of the public interest

This article contends that regulation in certain fields should incorporate and give emphasis to values beyond those of market economics. It is argued here that the frame of reference of the market is too narrow to encompass properly a range of social and political values which are established in liberal democracies and can be seen as constitutional in nature. Examples from fields such as environmental regulation and regulation of the media are used here to illustrate a range of non-economic values which have been, are, or should be reflected in regulatory theory and practice as a means of recognising and reflecting principles related to social justice. Such principles extend beyond, and may be antithetical to the practices, values, and outcomes of market-driven decision-making

School admissions and accountability: planning, choice or chance?

The processes for allocating places at secondary schools in England are always controversial. "School Admissions and Accountability" addresses issues relevant to school admissions over the past sixty years, exploring three primary ways it has been done: planning via local authorities, quasi-market mechanisms, and random allocation. Each approach is assessed on its own terms, but also examined via constitutional and legal analysis. The book shows how repeated failure to identify and pursue specific values for school admissions underlies questions regarding the fairness of the process. Interdisciplinary in approach, it makes the issue of school admissions relevant and accessible to a wide readership in education, social policy, and sociolegal studies.

School admissions and accountability: planning, choice or chance?

The processes for allocating places at secondary schools in England are always controversial. "School Admissions and Accountability" addresses issues relevant to school admissions over the past sixty years, exploring three primary ways it has been done: planning via local authorities, quasi-market mechanisms, and random allocation. Each approach is assessed on its own terms, but also examined via constitutional and legal analysis. The book shows how repeated failure to identify and pursue specific values for school admissions underlies questions regarding the fairness of the process. Interdisciplinary in approach, it makes the issue of school admissions relevant and accessible to a wide readership in education, social policy, and sociolegal studies.