Privatization in Practice: Reports on Trends, Cases and Debates in Public Service by Business and Nonprofits

Cost efficiency was the initial goal of privatization--achieved in many cases but not consistently. Public services provided by the private sector were cheap in the beginning but became increasingly expensive, especially to low-income citizens. The lessons learned from early successes and failures gave birth to a new goal--effectiveness of services, as measured by accountable results. Government officials are not looking just for proven budget savings; they must also be concerned with the quality of public services and ultimately the happiness of citizens and communities. In its updated second edition, this collection of essays explores the good and the bad sides of privatization.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Ph.D., is the Mayor George Christopher Professor of Government and Russell T. Sharpe Professor of Business at Golden Gate University. He has worked on privatization, nonprofit/NGO, and governance reform projects with the World Bank, the Institute on Governance, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Philippine Presidential Commission on Government Reorganization.

Roger L. Kemp, Ph.D., has been a city manager on both the East and West coasts for more than 25 years and holds International City/County Management Association credentials. He has taught at the University of California, Rutgers University, the University of New Haven, the University of Connecticut, and he is a Distinguished Adjunct Professor in the Executive MPA Program at Golden Gate University.