Inside Job: How Government Insiders Subvert the Public Interest

National decline is typically blamed on special interests from the demand side of politics corrupting a country's institutions. The usual demand-side suspects include crony capitalists, consumer activists, economic elites, and labor unions. Less attention is given to government insiders on the supply side of politics - rulers, elected officials, bureaucrats, and public employees. In autocracies and democracies, government insiders have the motive, means, and opportunity to co-opt political power for their benefit and at the expense of national well-being. Many storied empires have succumbed to such inside jobs. Today, they imperil countries as different as China and the United States. Democracy - government by the people - does not ensure government for the people. Understanding how government insiders use their power to subvert the public interest - and how these negative consequences can be mitigated - is the topic of this book by Mark A. Zupan.

Author: Mark A. Zupan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/10/2017
Pages: 262
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 9.09h x 6.08w x 0.74d
ISBN13: 9781316607770
ISBN10: 1316607771
BISAC Categories:
- Political Science | Corruption & Misconduct
- Political Science | Comparative Politics
- Political Science | Public Policy | Economic Policy