Rich Democracies

Description

In this culmination of 30 years of systematic, comprehensive comparison of 19 rich democracies which draws on quantitative data, case studies, and interviews covering the last 50 years, Wilensky answers two basic questions: (1) What is distinctly modern about modern societies--in what ways are they becoming alike? (2) How do variations in types of political economy shape system performance? He specifies similarities and differences in the structure and interplay of government, political parties, the mass media, industry, labor, professions, agriculture, churches, and voluntary associations. He then demonstrates how differences in bargaining arrangements among these groups lead to contrasting policy profiles and patterns of taxing and spending, which in turn explain a large number of outcomes: economic performance, political legitimacy, equality, job security, safety and risk, real health, the reduction of poverty and environmental threats, and the effectiveness and fairness of regulatory regimes. [publisher web site].

First Sentence

As we search for the shape of modern society, it helps to focus on these questions: As rich countries get richer do they become more alike in social structure, culture, and politics?

Subjects

Other Editions

• Rich Democracies: Political Economy, Public Policy, and PerformancePaperbackUniversity of California Press2002-07-01
• Rich DemocraciesUniversity of California Press2002-01-01
• Rich DemocraciesUniversity of California Press2002-01-01
• Rich DemocraciesHardcoverUniversity of California Press2002-07-01