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My new book: Government for the Public Good

Announcing my new book - Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action

Dear all,

I've not been in touch for several months – but that's because I've been concentrating on finishing a book that I'm delighted to announce to the world, Government for the Public Good: The Surprising Science of Large-Scale Collective Action. As of this Friday, it'll be available from all good bookstores – and it can be pre-ordered online.

The culmination of several years' work, it challenges one of the dominant ideas of the last few decades – that markets will do a better job of many of the tasks previously done by governments.

It subjects that claim to a kind of scrutiny that is all too rare in public discussion. Instead of arguing from anecdotes or one-off examples, it looks deeply at the latest, most reliable evidence.

That evidence suggests that, although there have been some privatisation successes, by and large the more-market reforms have failed to deliver the promised better services at lower price. In contrast, classic public services – delivered collectively and drawing on strengths such as the power of public discussion, altruism and economies of scale – have often proved highly effective.

These findings matter hugely, because people's confidence in government determines how much it will be allowed to do to address the big challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change and the rise of the robots. These questions about 'what works' are, in short, crucial to this country's political direction.

The book sets the stage for a renewal of active government – but also argues that government will have to be still better, if it is to meet modern expectations and retain public trust. And the best route to that improvement lies with deepening democracy. The book shows how, around the world, forums that allow citizens to intelligently debate issues together and directly shape policy are already delivering that kind of improved government.

I'm very pleased to have this book out in the world – and I invite you to celebrate its arrival with me on Wednesday, September 26th, 6pm, at the National Library in Wellington.

Details about the event are available here. And a reminder that it's available for purchase (or, before Friday, pre-order) here.

Regards,
 
Max Rashbrooke

TALKS OF INTEREST

Government for the Public Good celebration, Sept 26, 6pm

My new book is launched at the National Libary in Wellington, 70 Molesworth Street. All welcome. More details here.

 

MY BOOKS AND RESEARCH

My new book examines what a renewal of government might look like in the 21st century. Details about the project are here.
 
Previously, I've edited Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis (published by BWB), which examines the explosion in the rich-poor divide during the last 30 years, its effects on our society, and how it might be reversed.

BWB has also published The Inequality Debate: An Introduction, drawn from the opening chapters of the above and Wealth and New Zealand, which extends the story to look at inequalities of wealth and power.
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Max Rashbrooke - Freelance Journalist · 4 Durham Crescent · Aro Valley · Wellington, NEW ZEALAND, Wellington 6011 · New Zealand

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