Civil services in Western liberal democracies have undergone significant changes since the early 1980s, so much so that many of the traditional assumptions underpinning their role and operating practices have been fundamentally questioned. This volume explores a number of themes inherent in this transformation process and the significant problems encountered in modernizing civil services. The commitment to modernizing public services has been a constant trend of Western governments and has encompassed many approaches under a variety of labels, such as new public management and reinventing government. As a result of such developments, the public services of many countries have been transformed, with civil services being singled out for particular attention. This book critically examines the application of the modernization agenda in the old Commonwealth, the USA and Western Europe, including the institutions of the EU. Particular attention is given to developments in the British civil service, including the implications of devolved government, human rights legislation, and the Blair government's attempts to improve the policy process. For students and academics of public administration, public policy and comparative politics, this book will provide unrivalled coverage of one of the most critical issues in contemporary public management and policy.

It is not generally known that there was a worldwide Vedic culture, which finally fell apart with the advent of the Mahabharat War 5,000 years ago. However, this idyllic Vedic way of life continued to flourish in the area of Russia and Ukraine until about 1200 years ago. These tales are important because they reflect the essence of the Vedic way of life - namely to look inwards to awaken the latent Higher states of Consciousness. We are so used to looking outwards to solve our problems in modern times that these tales have been completely misunderstood. They were originally devised in a coded form for adults and were meant to be a template of the stages of a person's spiritual journey to the inner truth within themselves. The exciting prospect today is that Higher States are returning due to great teachers like Maharishi, who tells us that we are in transition bordering on a new and better age. Both the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje and Anastasia in Siberia acknowledge that as Russia was the last place to host the Vedic way of life, it will also be the first place to reinstate it for all the world to enjoy.

Patterns of Infinity is a new and simple method that will help children learn their tables in a more interesting way, because they will actually create them themselves. It also draws their attention to the hidden patterns that give rise to the numbers, currently occupying the attention of many modern scientists. Briefly, the Japanese way of multiplication introduces the numbers of the tables simply and visually and opens the door to reveal the patterns which give rise to them. Once the process for each table is compete, every chapter ends with a revision exercise, with answers provided at the back of the book i which to check against. The workbook can be used as a more simple method for children to learn their tables, or further on, they can also learn how both short and long methods of multiplication can be made just as easy.