Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to trace the origin and development of the increased use of the voluntary sector in the delivery of public services in the UK and to identify both the threats and opportunities that this policy poses. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses...

Introduction : a living example of the puzzle -- The man of the humanitarian system -- The evolution of humanitarian action -- Adaptability and the planner's problem -- Political competition replaces market competition -- The bureaucracy of humanitarianism -- Killing people with kindness --...