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The Case for Big Goverment
By Jeff Madrick. 2009
Political conservatives have long believed that the best government is a small government. But if this were true, noted economist…
Jeff Madrick argues, the nation would not be experiencing stagnant wages, rising health care costs, increasing unemployment, and concentrations of wealth for a narrow elite. In this perceptive and eye-opening book, Madrick proves that an engaged government- a big government of high taxes and wise regulations- is necessary for the social and economic answers that Americans desperately need in changing times. He shows that the big governments of past eras fostered greatness and prosperity, while weak, laissez-faire governments marked periods of corruption and exploitation. The Case for Big Government considers whether the government can adjust its current policies and set the country right. Madrick explains why politics and economics should go hand in hand; why America benefits when the government actively nourishes economic growth; and why America must reject free market orthodoxy and adopt ambitious government-centered programs. He looks critically at today's politicians- Republicans seeking to revive nineteenth-century principles, and at Democrats who are abandoning the pioneering efforts of the Great Society. Madrick paints a devastating portrait of the nation's declining social opportunities and how the economy has failed its workers. He demonstrates that the government must correct itself to address these serious issues.Moon Spotlight Newfoundland and Labrador
By Andrew Hempstead. 2015
This full-color guide includes vibrant photos and easy-to-use maps.Moon Spotlight Newfoundland & Labrador is an 80-page compact guide covering the…
best of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Avalon Peninsula, Labrador Straits, Gros Morne National Park, and the Northern Peninsula. Travel writer and Canada resident Andrew Hempstead offers seasoned advice on must-see attractions, and includes maps with sightseeing highlights so you can make the most of your time. This lightweight guide is packed with recommendations on sights, entertainment, shopping, recreation, accommodations, food, and transportation, as well as easy-to-read maps, making navigating these unforgettable locations uncomplicated and enjoyable.Infrastructure Productivity Evaluation
By Walter Manshanden, Wouter Jonkhoff. 2011
Infrastructure construction and use is at the heart o the current political debate. Not only are European member state governments…
investing large amounts of money to alleviate the harmful effects of the economic downturn due to the credit crisis, EU accession countries receive large amounts of cohesion funds for infrastructure purposes. Infrastructure is widely believed to contribute largely to economic performance, but to what extent is this the case? How does the productivity of roads, railways and ports relate to the invested money, and what determines their effectiveness? In this Brief, which focuses to a large extent on Dutch and European practice, numerous distinguished economists describe policy practice and analytical tools for infrastructure appraisal. Moreover, harmonisation of European approaches for evaluation of infrastructure are discussed. The study focuses both on scientific productivity measurement as on case studies of infrastructure policy.e-Transformation: Enabling New Development Strategies
By Nagy K. Hanna. 2010
Could information and communication technology (ICT) become the transformative tool for a new style of global development? Could ICT promote…
knowledge-based, innovation-driven, and smart, adaptive, participatory development? As countries seek a way out of the present period of economic contraction, they are trying to weave ICT into their development strategies, in the same way organizations have learned to use ICT to transform their business models and strategies. This integration offers a new path to development that is responsive to the challenges of our times. In e-Transformation, Nagy Hanna identifies the key ingredients for the strategic integration of ICT into national development, with examples from around the world. He draws on his rich experience of over 35 years at the World Bank and other aid agencies to outline the strategic options involved in using ICT to maximize developmental impact--transforming public service institutions, networking businesses for innovation and competitiveness, and empowering communities for social inclusion and poverty reduction. He identifies the key interdependencies in e-transformation and offers a holistic framework to tap network effects and synergies across all elements of the process, including leadership, cyber policies, institutions, human resources, technological competencies, information infrastructure, and ICT uses for government, business, and society. Integrating analytical insights and practical applications across the fields of development, political economy, public administration, entrepreneurship, and technology management, the author candidly argues that e-transformation, like all bold ideas, faces implementation challenges. In particular, the aspiration-reality gap needs to be systematically addressed if ICT-enabled innovation and transformation is to become a development practice. E-transformation is first and foremost about thinking strategically and creatively about the options made possible by the information technology revolution in the context of globalization. To this end, the author provides tools and best practices designed to nurture innovation, select entry points, prioritize among competing demands, and sequence and scale up. He outlines the roles of all participants--political, managerial, entrepreneurial, social and technical--whose leadership is essential for successful innovation.Plain Language in Government Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Judith G. Myers. 2008
A Plain-English Guide to Government Writing Whether you're in the public or private sector, good writing skills are critical to…
your success in the workplace. Plain Language in Government Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide shows you how to apply federal plain-language guidelines to every type of writing — from emails, memos, and letters to agency communications, technical procedures, and budget justification statements. Through numerous exercises as well as examples from a variety of federal and state agencies, this practical guide walks you step-by-step through every phase of the writing process, providing tips for improved clarity, conciseness, and completeness. This valuable reference will help you: Write for diverse audiences in reader-friendly, plain language Overcome writer's block Gain confidence in your ability to write — and get results Make your writing visually appealing Prepare for briefings and presentations Recognize successful writing and identify what makes it effective A Plain-English Guide to Government Writing will enable you to express yourself more clearly and concisely, produce documents more efficiently, and work more effectively with others throughout the writing process.Federal IT Capital Planning and Investment Control (with CD)
By Thomas G. Kessler DBA, Cisa, Patricia A. Kelley DPA. 2008
Reduce risk and improve the overall performance of IT assets! Federal IT Capital Planning and Investment Control is the first…
book to provide a comprehensive look at the IT capital planning and investment control (CPIC) process. Written from a practitioner's perspective, this book covers a range of topics designed to provide both strategic and operational perspectives on IT CPIC. From planning to evaluation, this valuable resource helps managers and analysts at all levels realize the full benefits of the CPIC process. •Explore the full range of IT investment principles and practices •Learn CPIC project management techniques including earned-value management, integrated baseline review, cost-benefit analysis, and risk-adjusted cost and schedule estimates •Identify strategies to improve how your organization manages its IT portfolio and selects, controls, and evaluates investments •Discover how to leverage scarce IT resources and align investments with program priorities •Benefit from the in-depth coverage—excellent for the experienced as well as those new to the CPIC processMarkets of Sorrow, Labors of Faith: New Orleans in the Wake of Katrina
By Vincanne Adams. 2013
Markets of Sorrow, Labors of Faith is an ethnographic account of long-term recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans. It is also…
a sobering exploration of the privatization of vital social services under market-driven governance. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, public agencies subcontracted disaster relief to private companies that turned the humanitarian work of recovery into lucrative business. These enterprises profited from the very suffering that they failed to ameliorate, producing a second-order disaster that exacerbated inequalities based on race and class and leaving residents to rebuild almost entirely on their own. Filled with the often desperate voices of residents who returned to New Orleans, Markets of Sorrow, Labors of Faith describes the human toll of disaster capitalism and the affect economy it has produced. While for-profit companies delayed delivery of federal resources to returning residents, faith-based and nonprofit groups stepped in to rebuild, compelled by the moral pull of charity and the emotional rewards of volunteer labor. Adams traces the success of charity efforts, even while noting an irony of neoliberalism, which encourages the very same for-profit companies to exploit these charities as another market opportunity. In so doing, the companies profit not once but twice on disaster.State Government Budget Stabilization
By Yilin Hou. 1946
This book is the first comprehensive, full-scale treatment of the law, politics and economics with regard to the policies and…
policy instruments for budget stabilization at the state level. Covering the period from 1946 through 2008 in the United States, it provides details on the methods and results of empirical tests of the effects of budget stabilization instruments on government operations, public service provision, and some other aspects of social and economic life. With the lingering effects of the most recent financial crisis and economic downturn, and the subsequent Tea Party movement advocating smaller government and deficit reduction, this book carries timely and important theoretical as well as practical implications, particularly in regard to the potential for counter-cyclical fiscal policy in mitigating negative impacts during a recession. The first contribution of the book is in public finance theory: it provides insights into the applications of the stabilization function in the context of strong government, thereby refining Keynesianism. The second aspect is in Public Choice: the creation and functioning of budget stabilization funds offer extra evidence to demonstrate that the general public provides input and voice in more than the conventional ways when it comes to policy making, even in an area dominated by strong government. The third aspect is in policy making, exploring the opportunities for refining policy tools in preparation for future downturns.Today versus Tomorrow: The Sensitivity of the Non-Oil Current Account Balance to Permanent and Current Income
By Alun Thomas, Tamim Bayoumi. 2008
Oil and Governance: State-Owned Enterprises and the World Energy Supply
By David G. Victor, David R. Hults, Mark C. Thurber. 2012
National Oil Companies (NOCs) play an important role in the world economy. They produce most of the world's oil and…
bankroll governments across the globe. Although NOCs superficially resemble private-sector companies, they often behave in very different ways. Oil and Governance explains the variation in performance and strategy for NOCs and provides fresh insights into the future of the oil industry as well as the politics of the oil-rich countries where NOCs dominate. It comprises fifteen case studies, each following a common research design, of NOCs based in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. The book also includes cross-cutting pieces on the industrial structure of the oil industry and the politics and administration of NOCs. This book is the largest and most systematic analysis of NOCs to date and is suitable for audiences from industry and academia, as well as policy makers.52 Best Day Trips from Vancouver
By Jack Christie. 2011
Jack Christie has been sharing his enthusiasm for the outdoors since the 1980s. Through his popular guidebooks and media appearances,…
he has helped countless Vancouverites and visitors alike appreciate the renowned natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest. From the first time he combed through his files and pulled together his favourite day trips from Vancouver into a single book, a success story was born. Now revised and updated, 52 Best Day Trips will enrich the west coast experience for many new adventurers. The best views, the best biking, the best beaches, the best outings for kids--they're all here, described in the clear, upbeat, observant prose that is Jack's trademark.Whether you're up for a trek with the dog, in search of a quiet picnic spot with a great view or looking for a place that will impress out-of-town visitors, Jack's 52 Best Day Trips will point you in the right direction. From Delta to Whistler, the North Shore to the Fraser Valley, detailed directions and custom maps help you find your way and enjoy the sights en route. Driving distance, time to allow and activities available once you reach your destination are highlighted for each area.Toward New Partnerships In Remote Sensing: Government, the Private Sector, and Earth Science Research
By Steering Committee on Space Applications, Commercialization. 2002
The interaction of factor endowments, culture, and politics in explaining when and why intensive growth occurred is one of the…
major themes of this book. The other major theme is the role of individualism in promoting this growth, and the strange metamorphoses this in turn has caused when we look at the present day interaction between the West and the Rest.Intermediate Public Economics
By Jean Hindriks, Gareth D. Myles. 2006
Public economics studies how government taxing and spending activities affect the economy--economic efficiency and the distribution of income and wealth.…
This comprehensive text in public economics covers the core topics market failure and taxation as well as recent developments in the political economy and public choice literatures. It is unique not only in its broad scope but in its balance between public finance and public choice and its combination of theory and relevant empirical evidence. After introducing the theory and methodology of public economics and reviewing the efficiency of the competitive equilibrium, the book presents a historical and theoretical overview of the public sector. It then discusses departures from efficiency, including imperfect competition and asymmetric information; issues in political economy, including rent-seeking (a topic often omitted from other texts); equity; taxation issues, including tax evasion and its consequences; fiscal federalism and tax competition among independent jurisdictions; and the intertemporal issues of social security and economic growth. This text introduces the reader to the theory of public economics and the most significant results of the analysis, providing an overview of the current state of the field. It is accessible to anyone with a background of intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics and can be used in advanced undergraduate as well as graduate courses. Although the mathematics has been kept to a minimum, the book remains analytical rather than discursive. Annotated suggestions for further reading and numerous exercises are included at the end of each chapter.Financing Energy Efficiency: Lessons from Brazil, China, India, and Beyond
By Jeremy Levin, Chandrasekar Govindarajalu, Anke S. Meyer, Robert P. Taylor, William A. Ward. 2008
While energy efficiency projects could partly meet new energy demand more cheaply than new supplies, weak economic institutions in developing…
and transitional economies impede developing and financing energy efficiency retrofits. This book analyzes these difficulties, suggests a 3-part model for projectizing and financing energy efficiency retrofits, and presents thirteen case studies to illustrate the issues and principles involved.Deficits, Debt, and the New Politics of Tax Policy
By Dennis S. Ippolito. 2012
The Constitution grants Congress the power 'to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises'. From the First Congress until…
today, conflicts over the size, role and taxing power of government have been at the heart of national politics. This book provides a comprehensive historical account of US tax policy that emphasizes the relationship between taxes and other budget components. It explains how wars, changing conceptions of the domestic role of government, and beliefs about deficits and debt have shaped the modern tax system. The contemporary focus of this book is the partisan battle over budget policy that began in the 1960s and triggered the disconnect between taxes and spending that has plagued the budget ever since. With the US government now facing its most serious deficit and debt challenge in the modern era, partisan debate over taxation is almost completely divorced from fiscal realities.The Responsive City
By Stephen Goldsmith, Susan Crawford. 2014
Leveraging Big Data and 21st century technology to renew cities and citizenship in AmericaThe Responsive City is a guide to…
civic engagement and governance in the digital age that will help leaders link important breakthroughs in technology and data analytics with age-old lessons of small-group community input to create more agile, competitive, and economically resilient cities. Featuring vivid case studies highlighting the work of pioneers in New York, Boston, Chicago and more, the book provides a compelling model for the future of governance. The book will help mayors, chief technology officers, city administrators, agency directors, civic groups and nonprofit leaders break out of current paradigms to collectively address civic problems. The Responsive City is the culmination of research originating from the Data-Smart City Solutions initiative, an ongoing project at Harvard Kennedy School working to catalyze adoption of data projects on the city level. The book is co-authored by Professor Stephen Goldsmith, director of Data-Smart City Solutions at Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor Susan Crawford, co-director of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg penned the book's foreword.Based on the authors' experiences and extensive research, The Responsive City explores topics including:Building trust in the public sector and fostering a sustained, collective voice among communities;Using data-smart governance to preempt and predict problems while improving quality of life;Creating efficiencies and saving taxpayer money with digital tools; andSpearheading these new approaches to government with innovative leadership.ng the work of government employees more meaningfulAmplification and coordination of focused citizen engagementBig Data in big cities - stories of surprising successes and enormous potentialLearn about Alaska's unique indigenous people who have lived thousands of years in a subsistence economy and unconquered. See how…
today's Alaska Native people exhibit remarkable resilience and adaptability despite the arrival of foreigners to Alaska in the mid-1700s, who sought natural resources and brought death and disease that claimed many indigenous lives. Clear descriptions, facts, charts, lists, and maps tell about the 230 Alaska Native tribes and more than 350 Alaska Native-owned for profit and nonprofit organizations that have emerged over the past 65 years. A stunning 25,000 year timeline depicts archeological sites which helped provide the basis for aboriginal land rights in the historic Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement in 1971. Today, Alaska Native people comprise about 20 percent of Alaska's population and their institutions are a major player in Alaska's diverse economy. Easy to read, you will gain an essential understanding about these modern institutions that have been successfully integrated with traditional subsistence values and are improving the lives of Alaska Native people and all of Alaska.Modern Public Economics Second Edition (Routledge Advanced Texts in Economics and Finance)
By Raghbendra Jha. 2009
In recent times not only have traditional areas of public economics such as taxation, public expenditure, public sector pricing, benefit…
cost analysis, and fiscal federalism thrown up new challenges but entirely new areas of research and inquiry have emerged. This second edition builds upon the strengths of the previous edition and incorporates results of research on new areas such as global public goods, environmental taxation and carbon permits trading and the complexities of corporate taxation in a rapidly globalizing world. The book is a modern and comprehensive exposition of public economics. It includes extended discussions on topics of particular interest to developing countries and covers subjects such as: taxation in an economy with a large informal sector the challenges of using VAT the use of randomized evaluation theory of public expenditure and public goods including global public goods incentive effects of taxation and tax incidence This book discusses the major traditional areas of taxation and public expenditure as well as emerging issues relating to public economics in the globalized world economy. It will be useful as a reference and update on the modern literature on public economics for professional economists and policymakers, as well as providing invaluable information as a basic text for undergraduate and graduate students in public economics.Strategic Management in Public Services Organizations: Concepts, Schools and Contemporary Issues
By Ewan Ferlie, Edoardo Ongaro. 2015
Strategic Management in Public Services Organizations sets out to connect the two traditionally disparate academic literatures of public management and…
strategic management. The authors argue that some models of strategic management are now of enhanced relevance for contemporary public services organizations, especially when considering successive New Public Management reforms. This observation has important consequences for the requisite work practices, skills and knowledge bases of current public managers, as they are increasingly being asked to act as strategic as well as operational managers. Strategic Management in Public Services Organizations takes a strongly comparative and international perspective in addressing the fundamental issue of strategic management within diverse public administrative traditions. The impact of strategic management on the performance of public agencies is examined and it is argued that the appropriate use of strategic management models depends on the politico-administrative and cultural contexts of the public services organization in question, concluding that there is no single best way to strategically lead public organisations. This is an advanced textbook aimed at the postgraduate level, particularly students on MPAs and MBAs with a public sector option or MScs in Public Policy and Public Management.