In this important new text, Martin Smith reassesses traditional debates about power and how they understand the nature and impact of the state. He develops an analysis of the new forms of state power that have developed in response to the perceived challenges of globalization and governance.

This follow-up volume to the same editors' highly-acclaimed New Labour in Government provides a systematic assessment of Blair's first term and the continuities and changes into his second. Bringing together specially-commissioned chapters by leading authorities in a tightly-edited format, it places particular emphasis on the evolution of New Labour's political performance, policy and statecraft set in its historical, ideological and organizational context.