Contesting the Australian Way States, Markets and Civil Society [Paperback]

This 1999 collection challenges the prevalent market-driven approach to public policy.Since the 1980s public policy has been perceived as being in crisis. Many argue that consolidating the market imperative in economic and social policy is the solution. Here, a leading group of writers challenge this view, calling for reassertion of a 'mixed' rather than a 'market' economy, and for reaffirmation of the egalitarianism that has characterised past Australian social policy. Asking whether economic and social policy can be reintegrated in a shared vision, this groundbreaking book argues the case for reinventing government rather than marginalising it.Since the 1980s public policy has been perceived as being in crisis. Many argue that consolidating the market imperative in economic and social policy is the solution. Here, a leading group of writers challenge this view, calling for reassertion of a 'mixed' rather than a 'market' economy, and for reaffirmation of the egalitarianism that has characterised past Australian social policy. Asking whether economic and social policy can be reintegrated in a shared vision, this groundbreaking book argues the case for reinventing government rather than marginalising it.Since the 1980s Australian public policy has been perceived as being in crisis. Many argue that consolidating the market imperative in economic and social policy is the solution. Here, a leading group of writers challenge this view, calling for reassertion of a mixed rather than a market economy, and for reaffirmation of the egalitarianism that has characterized past Australian social policy. Asking whether economic and social policy can be reintegrated in a shared vision, this groundbreaking book argues the case for reinventing government rather than marginalizing it.Introduction Paul Smyth; Part I. Overviews: States, Markets and Private Life: 1. States, markets and the global dimension: an overview of certain issues in political economy Hugh Emy; 2. The social pl$