The main argument which Lowi develops through this book is that the liberal state grew to its immense size and presence without self-examination and without recognizing that its pattern of growth had problematic consequences. Its engine of growth was delegation. The government expanded by responding to the demands of all major organized interests, by assuming responsibility for programs sought by those interests, and by assigning that responsibility to administrative agencies. Through the process of accommodation, the agencies became captives of the interest groups, a tendency Lowi describes as clientelism. This in turn led to the formulation of new policies which tightened the grip of interest groups on the machinery of government.
- ISBN10 0393057100
- ISBN13 9780393057102
- Publish Date 1 January 1979
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 27 October 2021
- Imprint W. W. Norton & Company
- Edition 2nd ed.
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 331
- Language English