ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the 'strategic state'. It begins with the ideas of Osborne and Gaebler, which are important to consider because of their massive influence on policy-makers. It should be noted that academic theory and academic research have contributed little to the development of the concept of the strategic state. The chapter also looks at how governments dealt with the financial crisis of 2007-9, and then at the European efforts to recover from it. Then, it presents some actual public management reforms in New Zealand, the United States, Ireland and elsewhere that were consistent with governments becoming more strategic. There was also consideration given to international Paris symposiums, World Development Report 1997 and the OECD governance reviews in recent years. The chapter examines the Europe 2020 strategy and particular attention was paid to the Commission's announcement of a new public consultation process to guide the next phase of policy recommendations.
