ABSTRACT
Quangos are a high-profile and frequently controversial part of the regulatory state. The term quango (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation) was originally coined for those organisations which were legally private but which performed statutory functions for government in a semi-independent way (such as the General Medical Council). Over the years, however, other organisations which were carrying out governmental functions but were deliberately set up at arm’s length or semi-independently (such as the Equal Opportunities Commission) also became known as quangos (quasi-autonomous government organisations). Today the term is used to embrace both groups and the species has become of central importance in enabling government to formulate, implement and regulate public policy.
