Product Description

This book discusses the changing role of government finance in the twentieth century. It documents the enormous increase in government spending throughout the 1900s across all industrialized countries. However, the authors find that the growth of the welfare state over the past thirty-five years has not brought about much additional social and economic welfare. This suggests that public spending in industrialized countries could be much smaller than today without sacrificing important policy objectives. For this to happen, governments need to refocus their role on setting the rules of the game, and the study provides a blueprint of institutional and expenditure policy reform.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1866937 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-05
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .95 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 308 pages

Review
"A formidable work by formidable scholars, this volume should influence both academic and policy discussions in the fields of economics, political science, public administration, and public policy, as well as in the international donor community." Choice

"This is an ambitious work...The book is on more solid ground, and makes more of a contribution..." EH.Net

Book Info
Discusses the changing role of government finance in the 20th century. Suggests that public spending in industrialized countries could be much smaller without sacrificing important policy objectives. Provides options for institutional and expenditure policy reform. Softcover, hardcover also available. DLC: Expenditures, Public--Government spending.