Above Politics

Bureaucratic Discretion and Credible Commitment

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Above Politics by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford, Cambridge University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford ISBN: 9781316564080
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: May 23, 2016
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
ISBN: 9781316564080
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: May 23, 2016
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

Economic development requires secure contract enforcement and stable property rights. Normal majority-rule politics, such as bargaining over distributive and monetary policies, generate instability and frequently undermine economic development. Above Politics argues that bureaucracies can contribute to stability and economic development, but only if they are insulated from unstable politics. A separation-of-powers stalemate creates the conditions for bureaucratic autonomy. But what keeps delegated bureaucrats from being more abusive as they become more autonomous? One answer is the negotiation of long-term, cooperative relationships - that (when successful) typically bind subordinates to provide more effort in exchange for autonomy. Even more compelling is professionalism, which embeds its professional practitioners in professional norms and culture, and incidentally mitigates corruption. Financial examples are provided throughout the book, which ends with an analysis of the role played by professionalized bureaucracies during the Great Recession.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Economic development requires secure contract enforcement and stable property rights. Normal majority-rule politics, such as bargaining over distributive and monetary policies, generate instability and frequently undermine economic development. Above Politics argues that bureaucracies can contribute to stability and economic development, but only if they are insulated from unstable politics. A separation-of-powers stalemate creates the conditions for bureaucratic autonomy. But what keeps delegated bureaucrats from being more abusive as they become more autonomous? One answer is the negotiation of long-term, cooperative relationships - that (when successful) typically bind subordinates to provide more effort in exchange for autonomy. Even more compelling is professionalism, which embeds its professional practitioners in professional norms and culture, and incidentally mitigates corruption. Financial examples are provided throughout the book, which ends with an analysis of the role played by professionalized bureaucracies during the Great Recession.

More books from Cambridge University Press

Cover of the book Measuring and Interpreting Subjective Wellbeing in Different Cultural Contexts by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Dynamic Modeling and Control of Engineering Systems by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Analysis of Boolean Functions by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Capitalism and Modern Social Theory by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Shakespeare and the Admiral's Men by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Power and Global Economic Institutions by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Fractals in Probability and Analysis by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book The Foundations of Modern Political Thought: Volume 2, The Age of Reformation by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Buying Defence and Security in Europe by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book The Defiant Border by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book The Illustrated Shakespeare, 1709–1875 by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Insurance and Behavioral Economics by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Astrophysics through Computation by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book From Triumph to Crisis by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
Cover of the book Medieval Heresies by Gary J. Miller, Andrew B. Whitford
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy