From Publishers Weekly
Professor of public policy and director of environmental programs at the University of Maryland, Brown draws on an environmentalist's perspective to argue for a new theory behind a progressive agenda. He first tracks the rise of the right wing, attacking the conceptual flaws behind the free market and taking liberals to task for concentrating on techniques, rather than on basic values. His second section, drawing in part on John Locke, proposes a trust model, in which the government/trustee must "preserve and enhance the assets of the trust, keeping always in mind the good of the beneficiaries--in this case, the citizens." Brown is weak on realpolitik, suggesting naively that trustees will be motivated by professional obligation. He supports not only predictable positions like public financing of political campaigns, but also more radical proposals like a ban on handguns and "federally mandated universal reproductive education." Brown's call for ending the international arms trade and moving toward outlawing war seems less plausible than his argument for stronger environmental stewardship and energy conservation. Still, his book should challenge both left and right.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Melding strands of political philosophy, public administration, and economics, Brown (Sch. of Public Affairs, Univ. of Maryland, College Park) asks a central question: Why does government exist? He outlines a public philosophy grounded in the ideas of John Locke to counter the market-based views of the Right dominant in the 1980s. He carefully critiques the philosophy underlying the Reagan/Bush years, focusing principally on the ideas of Milton Friedman. He then outlines a new public philosophy of government--the trustee model--and the policy implications that flow from it, such as strict controls on campaign finance, conservation of natural resources, and programs to protect the vulnerable in society. Though the proliferation of economic theories may seem inaccessible initially, this book is definitely an attention grabber and riveting to read. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.
- Grace Franklin, Columbus Metropolitan Lib., Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Grace Franklin, Columbus Metropolitan Lib., Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
