The quality of government : corruption, social trust, and inequality in international perspective

The relationship between government, virtue, and wealth has held a special fascination since Aristotle, and the importance of each frames policy debates today in both developed and developing countries. While it’s clear that low-quality government institutions have tremendous negative effects on the health and wealth of societies, the criteria for good governance remain far from clear. In this pathbreaking book, leading political scientist Bo Rothstein provides a theoretical foundation for empirical analysis on the connection between the quality of government and important economic, political, and social outcomes. Focusing on the effects of government policies, he argues that unpredictable actions constitute a severe impediment to economic growth and development—and that a basic characteristic of quality government is impartiality in the exercise of power. This is borne out by cross-sectional analyses, experimental studies, and in-depth historical investigations. Timely and topical, The Quality of Government tackles such issues as political legitimacy, social capital, and corruption. The Relationship Between Government, Virtue, And Wealth Has Held A Special Fascination Since Aristotle, And The Importance Of Each Frames Policy Debates Today. While It's Clear That Low-quality Government Institutions Have Tremendous Negative Effects On The Health And Wealth Of Societies, The Criteria For Good Governance Remain Far From Clear. In This Pathbreaking Book, Leading Political Scientist Bo Rothstein Provides A Theoretical Foundation For Empirical Analysis Of The Connection Between The Quality Of Government And Important Economic, Political, And Social Outcomes. Focusing On The Effects Of Government Policies, He Argues That Unpredictable Actions Constitute A Severe Impediment To Economic Growth And Development--and That A Basic Characteristic Of Quality Government Is Impartiality In The Exercise Of Power. This Is Borne Out By Cross-sectional Analyses, Experimental Studies, And In-depth Historical Investigations.--page [4] Of Cover. What Is Quality Of Government? -- Quality Of Government: What You Get -- Corruption: The Killing Fields -- Creating Political Legitimacy: Representative Democracy Versus Quality Of Government -- Curbing Corruption: The Indirect Big Bang Approach -- Quality Of Government And The Welfare State -- The Low Trust-corruption-inequality Trap -- Quality Of Government And Social Trust: Two Experiments -- The Tale Of Two Countries: Democratic Jamaica Versus High Quality Of Government Singapore -- Preventing Societies From Self-destructing. Bo Rothstein. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The relationship between government, virtue, and wealth has held a special fascination since Aristotle, and the importance of each frames policy debates today in both developed and developing countries. While it’s clear that low-quality government institutions have tremendous negative effects on the health and wealth of societies, the criteria for good governance remain far from clear.In this pathbreaking book, leading political scientist Bo Rothstein provides a theoretical foundation for empirical analysis on the connection between the quality of government and important economic, political, and social outcomes. Focusing on the effects of government policies, he argues that unpredictable actions constitute a severe impediment to economic growth and development—and that a basic characteristic of quality government is impartiality in the exercise of power. This is borne out by cross-sectional analyses, experimental studies, and in-depth historical investigations. Timely and topical, __The Quality of Government__ tackles such issues as political legitimacy, social capital, and corruption. Content: What is quality of government? -- Quality of government: what you get -- Corruption: the killing fields -- Creating political legitimacy: representative democracy versus quality of government -- Curbing corruption: the indirect "big bang" approach -- Quality of government and the welfare state -- The low trust-corruption-inequality trap -- Quality of government and social trust: two experiments -- The tale of two countries: democratic Jamaica versus high quality of government Singapore -- Preventing societies from self-destructing. Abstract: Provides a theoretical foundation for empirical analysis on the connection between the quality of government and important economic, political, and social outcomes. Focusing on the effects of government policies, this book argues that unpredictable actions constitute a severe impediment to economic growth and development. � Read more... The relationship between government, virtue, and wealth has held a special fascination since Aristotle, and the importance of each frames policy debates today in both developed and developing countries. While it & rsquo;s clear that low-quality government institutions have tremendous negative effects on the health and wealth of societies, the criteria for good governance remain far from clear. In this pathbreaking book, leading political scientist Bo Rothstein provides a theoretical foundation for empirical analysis on the connection between the quality of government and important economic, pol