Beyond Politics: The Roots of Government Failure - Hardcover

Simmons, Randy T.

3.84

51 ratings by Goodreads

9781598130508: Beyond Politics: The Roots of Government Failure

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1598130501 ISBN 13: 9781598130508

Publisher: Independent Institute, 2011

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Providing students of economics, politics, and policy with a concise explanation of public choice, markets, property, and political and economic processes, this record identifies what kinds of actions are beyond the ability of government. Combining public choice with studies of the value of property rights, markets, and institutions, this account produces a much different picture of modern political economy than the one accepted by mainstream political scientists and welfare economists. It demonstrates that when citizens request that their governments do more than it is possible, net benefits are reduced, costs are increased, and wealth and freedom are diminished. Solutions are also suggested with the goal to improve the lot of those who should be the ultimate sovereigns in a democracy: the citizens.

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About the Author:

Randy T. Simmons is a senior fellow at the Independent Institute, the Charles G. Koch Professor of Economics, the director of the Institute of Political Economy at Utah State University, and the former mayor of Providence, Utah. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Utah League of Cities and Towns as well as a member of the Utah Governor's Privatization Commission. He is the author of several books, including The Political Economy of Culture and Norms. He lives in Providence, Utah.

Review:

"A superb, thought-provoking and penetrating book, analyzing the real, as opposed to the presumed, effects of government regulation. It effectively turns the orthodox view that government regulation 'corrects' private 'market failures' on its head. The book deserves to be read by all serious students of public policy." --Sam Peltzman, professor of economics and financial services, University of Chicago "A lively book that very effectively analyzes the very real phenomena of government failure... The authors make a significant contribution by dealing informatively with the side of the matter that welfare economics tends to neglect and make a vigorous case for the view that government intervention in the workings of the market should never be taken lightly." --William J. Baumol, director, C. V. Starr Center for Applied Economics, New York University "A major contribution to informed comment. The book is so well written and the subject is so important and exciting that a great many people will find it very entertaining even if they do learn while reading it. We can welcome the book as a major step forward in understanding the dynamics of government and markets, and how both affect us all." --Gordon Tullock, professor of law and economics and distinguished research fellow, George Mason University

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