Contesting the Australian Way: States, Markets and Civil Society - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521633907 ISBN 13: 9780521633901

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Since the 1980s public policy has been perceived as being in a crisis of uncertainty. Many argue that consolidating the market imperative in both economic and social policy is the way out of this crisis. In this 1999 book, a leading group of writers challenge this view, calling for reassertion of a 'mixed' rather than a 'market' economy and a reaffirmation of the egalitarianism that has characterised past Australian social policy. The book confronts key issues of our time, particularly rising inequality and unemployment. Attempting to look beyond familiar debates about economic rationalism, it discusses the role of industry policy, the impact of globalisation, and the usefulness of competition models in the public, welfare, and community sectors. Asking whether economic and social policy can be reintegrated in a shared vision, this groundbreaking book argues the case for reinventing government rather than marginalising it.

About this title

Review

"...this is a well-edited book, and its stated goal, to 'rethink the idea of a mixed economy.' (13), is of interest to a range of audiences. The editors deserve credit for maintaining thematic coherence across the book's fived sections and for keeping chapters to a manageable length for such a wide-ranging volume." Canadian Journal of Political Science

Book Description

This 1999 collection challenges the market-driven approach to public policy. It calls for reassertion of a 'mixed' rather than a 'market' economy, and reaffirmation of the egalitarianism of past Australian social policy. The contributors argue for government to be reinvented rather than marginalised.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521633907
• ISBN 13: 9780521633901
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 290
• Editor: Smyth Paul