How to Run A Government: So that Citizens Benefit and Taxpayers Don't Go Crazy - Softcover

Barber, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241004977 ISBN 13: 9780241004975

Publisher: Allen Lane, 2015

Synopsis

The secrets of successful government from Michael Barber, one of the world's leading experts on carrying out lasting improvements in public life.

Billions of citizens around the world are frustrated with their governments. Political leaders struggle to honour their promises and officials find it near impossible to translate ideas into action. The result? High taxes, but poor outcomes. Cynicism not just with government but with the political process.

Why is this? How could this vicious spiral be reversed?

In this groundbreaking book Michael Barber draws on his wealth of experience of working for and with government leaders the world over to present a blueprint for how to run a government. Using contemporary cases from every continent and classic examples from history, he makes a compelling case for a new approach. From Downing Street to Punjab, Charles I to Churchill, this book shows that the solution is less about ideology and more about clear priorities and meticulous planning.

Praise for Instruction to Deliver:

'Wonderful' Bill Bryson

'One of the best books written on British government for many years' Vernon Bogdanor, Financial Times

Sir Michael Barber is the co-founder of Delivery Associates and Chief Education Advisor at Pearson. Over the last two decades he has worked on government and public service reform in more than 50 countries. From 2001 to 2005 he was the first Head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit in the UK. He is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Harvard School of Public Health and an Honorary Doctor of several universities including the University of Exeter. His previous books include Instruction to Deliver: Fighting to Transform Britain's Public Services

About this title

Review:

Michael Barber is a source of inspiration and wisdom (Andrew Adonis New Statesman)

Sir Michael Barber is the man who can unlock the secrets of turning promises into action (John Rentoul Independent)

[Barber's] advice can be refreshingly ruthless . . . this account of a potentially dry subject has an uplifting brio to it (Economist)

More fun to read than a book on the reform of the welfare system in Michigan has any right to be . . . Barber is the global overlord of public policy (Philip Collins Prospect)

About the Author:

Michael Barber has worked on government and public service reform in more than 50 countries for two decades. He is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Harvard School of Public Health and an Honorary Doctor of several universities. His previous books include Deliverology 101 and Instruction to Deliver.

About this edition

• Publisher: Allen Lane
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0241004977
• ISBN 13: 9780241004975
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368