You Don't Always Get What You Pay for: The Economics of Privatization
Author: Elliott D Sclar
Today, nearly all public services--schools, hospitals, prisons, fire departments, sanitation--are considered fair game for privatization. Proponents of privatization argue that private firms will respond to competitive market pressures and provide better service at lower cost. While this assertion has caused much controversy, the debate between both sides has consisted mainly of impassioned defenses of entrenched positions.
In You Don't Always Get What You Pay For, Elliott D. Sclar offers a balanced look at the pitfalls and promises of public sector privatization in the United States. By describing the underlying economic dynamics of how public agencies and private organizations actually work together, he provides a rigorous analysis of the assumptions behind the case for privatization.
The competitive-market model may seem appealing, but Sclar warns that it does not address the complex reality of contracting for government services. Using specific examples, such as mail service and urban transportation, he shows that ironically privatization does not shrink government--the broader goal of many of its own champions. He also demonstrates that there is more to consider in providing public services than trying to achieve efficiency; there are issues of equity and access that cannot be ignored.
Sclar believes that public officials and voters will soon realize the limitations of "contracting out" just as private corporations have come to understand the drawbacks of outsourcing. After examining the effectiveness of alternatives to privatization, he offers suggestions for improving public sector performance--advice he hopes will be heeded before it is too late.
Booknews
In an assessment of the pros and cons of public sector privatization, Sclar (urban planning, Columbia U.), who is affiliated with the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, DC, warns that outsourcing services may not result in leaner US government. He examines alternatives and offers tips for public sector reform. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The New York Times - Diana Henriques
…this book demonstrates with one delicious and well-documented example after another, you don't have to be corrupt to botch public contracting…just being dogmatic and unimaginative will suffice.
What People Are Saying
Bruce Wallin
Elliott Sclar does a wonderful job of placing the debate in its proper theoretical context, which few others do, and explaining rather complex concepts in an easily understood style — no small feat. I was stunned by Sclar's ability to describe obtuse theories so readily — there are 'gems' throughout. He has a gift.
— Bruce Wallin, Northeastern University
Table of Contents:
| Foreword | vii | |
| Acknowledgments | xi | |
| Chapter 1 | The Urge to Privatize: From the Bureaucratic State to the Contract State | 1 |
| Chapter 2 | What Is the Public Buying? Identifying the Contracted Public Good | 20 |
| Chapter 3 | Public vs. Private Production: Is One Better and How Would You Know? | 47 |
| Chapter 4 | What's Competition Got to Do with It? Market Structures and Public Contracting | 69 |
| Chapter 5 | All in the System: Organizational Theories and Public Contracting | 94 |
| Chapter 6 | Restructuring Work: The Relational Contract | 130 |
| Chapter 7 | The Privatization of Public Service: Economic Limits of the Contract State | 151 |
| Bibliography | 169 | |
| Index | 177 |
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Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills
Author: David W Johnson
Johnson / Johnson, Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills, 10e 0205578632
This best-selling text introduces readers to the theory and research findings needed to understand how to make groups effective, and it helps build the skills required to apply that knowledge in practical situations. More than a textbook, Joining Together illustrates how this knowledge and mastery of skills creates choices, opportunities, and successes for each individual. No competing text offers the scope of coverage and the range of experiential exercises of Joining Together.
New to this edition:
o New information of the roles of Group Leaders, Providing Constructive Feedback, and Confrontations.
o New sections about Teamwork, including Team Training, Team Development, Team Effectiveness and Team Building.
o New chapter objectives, quizzes and Powerpoints are available to adopters online by contacting your local representative.
o New exercises for students.
o New Tables and Figures with updated data.
Here’s what your colleagues are saying:
“I truly enjoy this textbook. I find it to be very user-friendly. The exercises and illustrations help me to explain the chapters better.”
Dr. Julian Shabazz, Benedict College
“I am a big fan of this book. I think that it is the most useful and comprehensive text on group work among all of those available. We use [it] in both undergraduate and graduate courses in group work. It’s the best, it really has no competitors in my mind.”
Dr. Gary Matthews, Western Michigan University
Booknews
Combines theoretical and empirical knowledge with practical ways to apply it in a group situation, and offers a wealth of experiential exercises and simulations in worksheet form with space for answers. After chapters on basic concepts in group dynamics and experiential learning, coverage includes group goals, communication within groups, leadership, using power, and decision making, controversy, diversity, leading growth and counseling groups, and team development. This seventh edition takes into account changes in the field in the past two years. David W. Johnson is affiliated with the University of Minnesota. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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