Infrastructures: Time to Invest - Softcover

Netherlands Scientific Council For Government Policy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9053566058 ISBN 13: 9789053566053

Publisher: Amsterdam University Press, 2009

Synopsis

All sectors of the Dutch infrastructures have undergone a degree of commercialisation, liberalisation or privatisation over the last ten to twenty years.  Where in the past the infrastructure landscape was dominated by public monopolies, the ownership and management of infrastructures is today shared by several public and private sector players.  The original goals of this 'regime change' have in many cases been achieved: greater efficiency, a greater focus on the customer and more choice for consumers.

The question is whether this emphasis on current consumer interests allows enough scope to achieve long-term objectives which affect the whole of our society: innovation, long-term availability and sustainability of infrastructures.  This is of crucial importance for economic and social development, which is coming under increasing pressure due to the combined impact of the exhaustion of natural resources and climate change.

The transition to a sustainable future demands substantial investment in infrastructures, which cannot be taken for granted in the present situation.  The WRR has investigated how these investments could be safeguarded in the long term, whilst retaining the efficiency of the infrastructures.

About this title

About the Author

The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) is an independent advisory body for the Dutch government policy. It operates as a think tank establishing its own work and research programme. The council focuses on policy issues that are relevant in the long term.

Review

As elsewhere in Europe, a highly heterogeneous and multi-level policy community of private and public actors has emerged in recent years in Dutch infrastructure provision and management, creating serious problems of governability. In this far-sighted document, the authors propose a radically new strategic approach based on 'joined-up' governance, new checks and balances and improved accountability, and major innovations in public oversight and steering capacity. It is a model that other governments could well follow.[-][-]Martin Rhodes, Professor and Co-Director,[-]Joseph Korbel School of International Relations, University of Denver, Colorado

About this edition

• Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 9053566058
• ISBN 13: 9789053566053
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224