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

Hear Max Rashbrooke start the year for the Fabian Society Otautahi by discussing his recent book on the above topic at the WEA, Thursday 21 February 2019, 7-8:30 pm.

The book goes to the heart of one of the dominant ideas of the last few decades – that markets should take over more of the tasks previously done by governments. Casting a broad sweep through the evidence on privatisation, deregulation and other market-based reforms, it shows they have often not delivered. But rather than just criticising the market, the book makes a strong case for government, showing how classic public services have often proved far more effective than we generally think, and outlining a positive vision for how government could work still better – and regain people’s trust – in the twenty-first century. A powerful defence of active government, the book shows how, around the world, forums that allow citizens to intelligently debate issues together and directly shape policy are already delivering better public services and deepening democracy. At a time when ideas and politics are in turmoil, the book offers a new way to navigate our future together.

Max Rashbrooke has twin research interests in economic inequality and open government, and has also worked extensively as a journalist. He edited the best-selling Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis, published in June 2013 by Bridget Williams Books (BWB), and wrote Wealth and New Zealand in November 2015 (also with BWB).He has twice been the recipient of the Bruce Jesson Senior Journalism Award, and was a 2015 Winston Churchill Fellow.