Motivation, Agency, And Public Policy

Motivation, Agency and Public Policy: Of Knights and Knaves, Pawns and Queens
Author	Julian Le Grand
Country	US
Language	English
Genre	Nonfiction
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Publication date	2003
Pages	208
ISBN	ISBN:0-19-926699-9
OCLC	52193481

Motivation, Agency, and Public Policy is a non-fiction book written by the economist Julian Le Grand. The book, which argues in favor of increasing tax choice, was described by The Economist as "accessible – and profound" and by The Times as "one of the most stimulating books on public policy in recent years".^[1]^[2]

Overview

In his book, Le Grand explores ways of increasing the amount of choice and competition in the public sector. This quasi-market would transform citizens from pawns to queens and "improve quality and value for money".^[1] Specific policy recommendations include "demogrants" and hypothecation (earmarking).^[3]

Criticism

One criticism is that Le Grand's argument only has limited appeal. "Le Grand’s argument does not speak to libertarians; rejecting the welfare state, they part from him long before he calls on them to cheer for transforming service users into queens. Nor does his argument entice liberal egalitarians."^[4]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 "Economics focus: Power to the pawns". The Economist. 2003-10-30. http://www.economist.com/node/2173474. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
↑ Peter Riddell (2004-02-19). "Do you want to choose or shall I do it for you?". The Times. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2042127.ece. Retrieved 2013-02-07. (Subscription content?)
↑ http://andrewleigh.org/pdf/LeGrandReview.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
↑ "Archived copy". http://www.hks.harvard.edu/fs/mrisse/Papers/Papers - Philosophy/CitizensofaWelfareState.pdf.