Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action

Fast-paced, globally informed and wittily written – Professor Danny Dorling, Oxford University One of the epochal shifts of the last 40 years has been to entrust markets with many of the tasks previously carried out by government. The success of this shift is so often assumed that people have rarely stopped to ask the most fundamental question: has it actually worked? In this wide-ranging book, Max Rashbrooke goes beyond anecdote and ideology, delving deep into the latest research about the sweeping changes made to the public services that shape our lives together. What he unearths is startling, suggesting that the market-based reforms have often been a failure, and that classic government action is surprisingly effective. Drawing on the latest international thinking, Rashbrooke argues that if government is to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, the answer lies not with more markets but greater democracy. As he demonstrates, deep democratic discussion and citizen participation are already transforming public services around the globe and creating a kind of government fit for the modern world. Refreshing and keenly well-informed, this stimulating book offers New Zealanders a new way of thinking about government and how it can navigate the turbulent world ahead.

Contents: Preface: New Zealand in an evolving world Introduction: Holy Taxation, Batman! 1. Government for the public good: the core argument Why governments exist – the nature of the public good – some core roles of governments – why effectiveness matters – the current status of governments – prospects for renewal 2. A partnership in all art: the history of governments How the earliest governments evolved – liberalism(s) and democracy’s advance – the twentieth-century growth of social spending – government is curbed post-1980 – understanding attitudes towards government 3. The ten habits of highly successful governments: building a new model Why governments succeed – defining efficiency and effectiveness – models of markets and governments -the habits that help governments work well 4. Markets and governments: mapping failures and responses Why markets succeed – why markets fail – `micro’ and `macro’ failures – boundaries between governments and markets – the tools of government: education, regulation, finance, provision and redistribution 5. The good, the bad and the greater good: critiques of government Why governments fail – the standard critiques of majority government – rights, liberties and freedoms -elite domination – a defence of democracy and citizen competence – information-processing and technology – failures of politicians and bureaucracies – government’s relationship with communities and the economy 6. The night watch: preserving law and order Why governments keep the peace – flashpoint: public vs private prisons – outsourcing, service quality and salaries – alternatives to private prisons – community policing -restorative justice 7. Only one earth: protecting the planet The threat of climate change – flashpoint: carbon pricing vs direct government action – why bans work – the trouble with emissions trading – renewable energy -upgrading the grid 8. Municipal joy: urban planning and place-shaping Why governments plan urban areas – compact cities -the need for public spaces – flashpoint: public housing schemes – other housing initiatives – flashpoint: public vs privatised bus services 9. Liquid assets: organising basic infrastructure The importance of water and other utilities – flashpoint: water privatisation – water companies and financial engineering – difficulties with competition and regulation – public alternatives – repurchasing assets and the price to be paid – utilities and democracy 10. Of human flourishing: providing health and education The role of health services – flashpoint: the NHS vs US private insurance – why governments are so involved in schooling – flashpoint: Finland’s public system vs charter schools 11. A balance in the unbalance: redistributing income and wealth Why governments aim to reduce economic inequality – the causes of inequality – precarity and automation – inequality and opportunity – flashpoint: why market rewards go astray – social security in the twenty-first century – policy options for labour laws, taxes and benefits 12. Master and machine: managing the economy The controversy around economic growth – flashpoint: does industrial policy work? – future-focused innovation – flashpoint: financial regulation and preventing crises -the role of economic stimulus 13. A fluid future: a vision of liquid government The importance of deliberation and participation – liquid government forums around the world – innovations in public services – renewing democracy – addressing power dynamics and other obstacles Envoi: the meeting place Annotated bibliography

Format: Paperback
Pages: 344
Imprint: Bridget Williams NZ
Publication date: 14/09/2018