THE THURSDAY BOOK: Order and Anarchy in the Republic of the Streets ; the Rule of Freedom: Liberalism and the Modern City Patrick Joyce Verso, Pounds 18

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AN OLD notice has been reinstated in our local park, detailing 47 council by-laws about unacceptable activities. These include spitting and swearing, the riding of horses or other beasts of burden, the sorting of rags and mending of chairs, the taking off or landing of balloons and aircraft, and countless other transgressions anticipated in exquisite detail.

It is easy to forget how the licensing of human behaviour was once a central part of public administration. This is one of the principal themes of Patrick Joyce's intriguing book. Despite the jargon, it is worth persevering with because the material itself is so rich, thoughtfully ordered and fascinating. …