Central Government,Local Government,Voluntary Associations and the Welfare State: Some Reflections on Opposition to Recent Public Spending Cuts in Britain

Abstract

The relation between the state and voluntary associations is explored by a study of voluntary organization responses to deep funding cuts of local governmental expen ditures in Britain. Why have voluntary associations not been at the forefront in opposing these cuts, which impact so deeply on their viability? The main opposition to these funding cuts by central government has come from the local councils themselves. The basis for the restoration of cuts has been cast in terms of preserving local government's autonomy, rather than in terms of preserving an endangered welfare state. The relative weakness of the voluntary association response is ac counted for in large part by the perceived (rather than the actual) degree of cen tralization of government in contemporary Britain.