ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. In many western states the preference for policy implementation by core government agencies has changed in favour of alternative arrangements such as contracting out, privatization or the creation of quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations. The book focuses on the proliferation of these so-called quangos. It gives an introduction to quangocratization, and offers a theoretical perspective on the rise of this phenomenon. The book analyses the definition of quangos and the assumptions underlying politicians' preference for quangos. The relationship of exchange between citizens and politicians, and between politicians and executive agents can be seen as a contractual agreement. The state will seek to maximize the opportunities for citizens to exercise their rights, in exchange for which politicians are given the right to exercise power. The motives and assumptions underlying - and often legitimizing - politicians' preference for quangos are referred to as the practitioner theory.
