Privatization: An International Review of Performance (Theoretical Lenses on Public Policy) [Paperback]

Graeme Hodge (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 081336681X | ISBN-13: 978-0813366814 | Publication Date: December 31, 1999

Contracting out public sector services and divesting public enterprises are reforms that have enjoyed widespread global popularity in recent years. Better services, lower prices and greater accountability are the promises made by politicians, senior executives, and investment companies when functions are moved from the public sector to private enterprise. But in Privatization, Graeme A. Hodge challenges these assumptions. Through an examination of hundreds of international studies on the performance of privatization activities, Hodge demonstrates that privatizing public services is often not the guaranteed panacea portrayed by its political supporters. Importantly, privatization activities can lead to modest gains, but there are also winners and losers in this reform. It therefore deserves far more care and balanced debate than it usually attracts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Graeme Hodge is director (research) at the International Centre for Management in Government, Monash Mt. Eliza Business School, Monash University, Australia. He is the author of two previous books and many research papers in management, social and economic policy, and public administration. Widely acknowledged as a leading authority on privatization issues, he has been appointed adviser to Parliamentary Inquiries, and consults to federal, state, and local governments throughout Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081336681X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813366814
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,598,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Reliable seller, October 22, 2010

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Odi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Privatization: An International Review of Performance (Theoretical Lenses on Public Policy) (Paperback)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult reading, balanced perspective, July 10, 2005

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Paul M. Day (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Privatization: An International Review of Performance (Theoretical Lenses on Public Policy) (Paperback)

This is a balanced perspective on privatization, but it is difficult to read. His conclusions are negligable (mixed story), nevertheless it is a sensable treatment of the issue.

For Americans this book really is irrelevant. There is little data on the United States, and most of the data concerns services which aren't really important politically. There is little treatment of privatization of health services, education, military outsourcing, and social security schemes. At best it gives you an empirical perspective to the contention that privatization leads to increased efficiency. My own conclusion after reading this book is that any transfer of services or restructuring where there is the expectation of reduced costs, usually leads to reduced costs: including public-to-public outsourcing. This is because cost reduction is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you want a better example, simply look at military outsourcing to private companies. There are no expectations of reduced costs, so there ARE NO reduced costs. In fact military outsourcing accounts for a lot of the bloat in the defense budget (and there is a lot of corruption associated with it also). That is because there is no political pressure to cut corners in the military.

There are also the issues concerning increased corruption and unequal distribution of services which come with privatization. Sale of state enterprises is particularly prone to these negative externalities. There is also the problem of calculating the net benefit to the community. Yes there might be increased efficiency, but does the community see that in the reduction of tax revenues or increased social services, Or does it simply benefit profits?

Overall, this is a good book if you want an emperical discussion. But it could be better, and much more readable.