NCJ Number
114786
Editor(s)
S H Hanke
Date Published
1987
Length
224 pages
Annotation
Federal, State, and local privatization are examined with respect to political and economic factors, costs and benefits, and current status in 18 articles.
Abstract
Individual articles examine six objectives of privatization. These include (1) the improvement of the economic assets or service functions concerned, (2) the depoliticization of economic decisions, (3) the generation of public-budget revenues through sales receipts, (4) the reduction in public outlays, (5) the reduction in the power of public-sector unions, and (6) the promotion of popular capitalism through the wider ownership of assets. Specific issues examined within these objectives include the changing political dynamics of Government, property rights, privatizing the welfare State, social security, and Government procurement procedures. Benefits of privatization are also considered in relation to privatization of airports, urban bus systems, the New York City subway, waterworks, and public lands. Limits, uses, and misuses of privatization also are identified and illustrated; and distinctions between public and private management are elucidated. Finally, the ability of privatization to fulfill its objectives is illustrated in status reports on local, State, Federal, and international privatization programs. In general, authors are in favor of increased privatization as a means of improving the manner in which goods and services are supplied. Chapter tables and notes and index.