Alford's theoretical political framework and its application to interests in health care now.

摘要

INTRODUCTION:In these troubled times, it can be useful to see whether there are any sociological or political theories that could help us analyse issues from a fresh perspective. Several theories might be relevant but Alford's political theory of interests seems to me especially illuminating. Published in 1975, it is based on Robert R Alford's study of the failure of reforms to improve health care in New York city.Its detailed categorisation of interest holders and examination of the political relationships among them, and its general applicability to western healthcare systems, promise to make sense of conflicts of objective and of view in debates about proposed policies and changes in UK health care.