The politics of quasi-markets

The article argues that research on quasi-markets is dominated by the 'evaluative' approach where quasi-markets are judged against criteria such as efficiency, choice and equity. It argues that this approach fails to examine important polatical differences between quasi-markets. This the sis is illustrated by reference to the differences in the quasi-markets in health on the one hand and in secondary and higher education on the other. The article seeks to show that the regulatory criteria applied in health are significantly different to those applied in education, and to ex plore the political basis for these differences.