Rules and government

Few aspects of modern life are not regulated with rules. Most of these rules are not statutes but are 'soft laws' made by ministers, agencies and regulators - they are called codes, regulations, directives, guidance and a host of other names. This book examines how soft laws work, how such rules can be evaluated and how rule users can justify their actions. The enforcement of rules is investigated and a case study throws light on the techniques used by regulators to secure compliance. The relationship between gaining compliance and achieving the right results is then focused upon and issues of inclusiveness, standard-setting and 'creative compliance' are discussed. One way to test regulatory rules is to subject them to economic appraisals in the form of cost-benefit tests or compliance-cost assessments. Such appraisals, and their government potential, are evaluated.