Motivation, Agency, and Public Policy: Of Knights and Knaves, Pawns and Queens

Book Description

Can we rely on the altruism of professionals or the public service ethos to deliver good quality health and education services? And how should patients, parents, and pupils behave - as grateful recipients or active consumers? This book provides new answers to these questions - a milestone in the analysis and development of public policy, from one of the leading thinkers in the field. It provides a new perspective on policy design, emphasising the importance of analysing the motivation of professionals and others who work within the public sector, and both their and public service beneficiaries' capacity for agency or independent action. It argues that the conventional assumption that public sector professionals are public-spirited altruists or 'knights' is misplaced; but so is the alternative that they are all, in David Hume's terminology, 'knaves' or self-interested egoists. We also must not assume that individual citizens are passive recipients of public services (pawns); but nor can they be untrammelled sovereigns with unrestricted choices over services and resources (queens). Instead, policies must be designed so as to give the proper balance of motivation and agency. The book illustrates how this can be done by detailed empirical examination of recent policies in health services, education, social security and taxation. It puts forwards proposals for policy reform, several of which either originated with the author or with which he has been closely associated: universal capital or 'demogrants', discriminating vouchers, matching grants for pensions and for long-term care, and hypothecated taxes.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent thinking framework.......2005-03-15

The author uses an easy-to-understand framework to describe the expectations of public service users in society, both today and in years past, and, the motivations of agencies that act as providers of these services.

Examples mainly drawn from education and healthcare in the UK show an increasingly informed public that demand greater accountability and value for money from service providers (from Pawns to Queens). From this customer-driven evolution there appears to be an increasing realisation that those who provide services to the public do so with a wide spectrum of different motivations (from Publicly-Spirited Knights to Self-Interested Knaves).

Interestingly, the author finds that characteristics of both 'knightly' and 'knaveish' behaviour in combination may indeed yield the greatest benefit for society. The 'robust' strategy / policy therefore becomes one where altruism and self-interest align, a point where society benefits the most from the efforts of the publicly employed agent(s).

It is in matters of policy execution, however, that the book probably falls a little short. Description of how you might identify and implement 'robust' strategy is high-level and hard to visualise, via, an action plan, for example. An example of a 'robust' strategy was provided from public housing but was not particularly well specified. The ideas the book presents clearly outweigh the policy implementation path attempted.

Policy implementation and the small font with which the book has been printed are the only drawbacks. Otherwise it is well written, well researched and an important contribution of ideas to those engaged or interested in public policy.

Public confidence erodes.......2004-11-08

From the Journal of Economic Literature September 2004:
Explores assumptions and realities concerning human motivation and the implications for the design of public policy. Describes how in Great Britain and other countries there has been a gradual erosion of confidences in the reliability of the public service ethic as a motivational drive and a growing conviction that self-interest is the principal force motivating those involved in public services, and how these changes have resulted in radical reforms in public service delivery systems. Reviews the empirical evidence concerning the existence of self-interested and altruistic motivations in the public sector. Illustrates how policy structures and context can change the balance of self-interested and altruistic motivations in individuals working in the public sector. Develops a theory of public service motivation and explores the implications for service delivery. Considers whether users of publicly funded services should have control over how much and in what way they make use of publicly funded services or whether their use should be largely determined by professionals or others involved in service provision. Explores the question of the appropriate balance of power between individual users and professionals in the context of health care, education, and saving for retirement. Assesses some specific policies or proposals designed to address motivation and agency issues in the welfare state, considering the U.K. experience with Primary Care Trusts in the health care sectors; the U.K. experience with parental choice and competition in primary school education; the idea of a capital grant, or demogrant, to every young adult; the idea of "partnership" matching grants to encourage savings for pensions and long-term care; and a proposal to increase individual citizens' control over the fiscal systems through hypothecation or the earmarking of particular tax revenues for specific uses. Le Grand is the Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics. Index.

Book Description

“These are not the best days for bureaucracy…” With these opening words Paul du Gay sets the stage for his provocative new study of institutions, ethics and contemporary society. The book reassesses management as a definitive phenomenon of the `modern' era and goes on to explore its possible future configurations. Above all the positive, even creative potential of bureaucratic order in a time of complexity, uncertainty and disorder is analyzed. Central to the nature and role of the bureau is the relationship of individuals and institutions: by taking this as his starting point Paul du Gay offers a powerful new critique of organizational action and ethics. Reviewing key theorists from Weber to MacIntyre and Bauman, the text charts the rise and fall of the 'bureau critique', and suggests important ways in which the ideals of bureaucratic order have influenced and may in future shape social action. The book provides a context for re-evaluating structure and action. As a major contribution to organization theory The Bureaucratic Ethos will be essential reading for students and researchers of organization everywhere: at the same time the breadth and liveliness of the examples on which it draws make it a valuable supplement to courses on management and culture studies.

Book Description

In the US, UK and Europe there is in excess of one notifiable dust or electrostatic explosion every day of the year. This clearly makes the hazards associated with the handling of materials subject to either cause or react to electrostatic discharge of vital importance to anyone associated with their handling or industrial bulk use. This book provides a comprehensive guide to the dangers of static electricity and how to avoid them. It will prove invaluable to safety managers and professionals, as well as all personnel involved in the activities concerned, in the chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical and petrochemical process industries.

The book makes extended use of case studies to illustrate the principles being expounded, thereby making it far more open, accessible and attractive to the practitioner in industry than the highly theoretical texts which are also available.

The authors have many years' experience in the area behind them, including the professional teaching of the content provided here. Günter Lüttgens is a widely acknowledged consultant who travels Europe providing training to major industrial corporations on this subject, whilst Norman Wilson practices what is written here in his professional capacity with the British Textile Technology Group.

Extended use of case studies to illustrate the principles.This makes the book far more open, accessible and attractive to the practitioner in industry than the highly theoretical texts also available.

Authors have many years experience in the area

Both authors have been widely published with considerable previous book-writing experience.

Powder Handling and Electrostatics: Understanding and Preventing Hazards

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Powder Handling and Electrostatics: Understanding and Preventing Hazards
Thomas B. Jones , Jack L. King , and Jack F. Yablonsky
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0873714881

Book Description

The subject of this manual is safe practice for avoiding electrostatic discharge hazards in the manufacturing and processing of chemical and plastic powders. It is written with the practicing engineer and plant technician in mind. Practical information to enhance the process safety is provided in straightforward terms. The manual describes the basic phenomena of powder electrostatics, giving special emphasis to polymer powders. The identified types of electrostatic discharges are discussed and explanations of the conditions that favor or inhibit each type are given. A number of industrial incidents where ESD-induced dust ignitions occurred are reviewed, with the authors contributing their own views on causes and preventive measures. The important quantitative measures of electrostatic hazards are identified, along with the methods needed to perform meaningful measurements. Concrete recommendations, based on the authors' experience, are provided in the form of a list of "Do's" and "Don'ts" applicable in the plant environment. Finally, appendices provide a wealth of useful background data plus an informative "Q and A" section covering practical engineering issues. This manual will be extremely useful to chemical plant engineers, operating and maintenance personnel, safety engineers, processing plant engineers, design engineers, and consultants, as well as persons in the chemical, pharmaceutical, plastic, and food handling industries.

Avoiding Static Ignition Hazards in Chemical Operations (Ccps Concept Book)

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Excellent Reference for Practicing Engineers

Avoiding Static Ignition Hazards in Chemical Operations (Ccps Concept Book)
Laurence G. Britton
Manufacturer: Wiley-AIChE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0816908001

Book Description

Written by Laurence Britton, who has over 20 years' experience in the fields of static ignition and process fire and explosion hazards research, this resource addresses an area not extensively covered in process safety standards or literature: understanding and reducing potential hazards associated with static electricity. The book covers the nature of static electricity, characteristics and effective energies of different static resources, techniques for evaluating static electricity hazards, general bonding, grounding, and other techniques used to control static or prevent ignition, gases and liquids, powders and hybrid mixtures.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Reference for Practicing Engineers.......2000-01-31

This is another in the valuable "Concept Series" of books by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' Center for Chemical Process Safety. It's purpose is "to assist designers and operators of chemical facilities to understand and reduce potential hazards associated with static electricity." The book succeeds admirably in achieving this purpose for it's target audience. This work is particularly valuable as a supplement to the NFPA and API publications on the control of static electicty, providing a nicely balanced combination of theoretical background and practical example. The extensive References section is a very helpful guide to the literature. The book is well organized and very clearly written.

Highly recommended for practicing engineers who want to improve their understanding of static ignition mechanisms and who need to apply the published standards to real world situations.

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Electrostatic Hazards in Power Handling (Electrostatics & Electrostatic Applications)
Martin Glor
Manufacturer: Research Studies Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Chemical | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0863800718

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Electrostatics in the Petroleum Industry: The Prevention of Explosion Hazards. A Royal Dutch/Shell Research and Development
A., and J.L. Van Der Minne, editors Klienkenberg
Manufacturer: Elsevier Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KT4FYS

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Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design: Volume 17 - Drying: Solids to Electrostatic Hazards (Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing & Design)
John J. McKetta Jr
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0824724674

Book Description

"Written by engineers for engineers (with over 150 International Editorial Advisory Board members),this highly lauded resource provides up-to-the-minute information on the chemical processes, methods, practices, products, and standards in the chemical, and related, industries. "

Static hazards and problems in the printing and manufacture of inks.: An article from: Ink & Print

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Static hazards and problems in the printing and manufacture of inks.: An article from: Ink & Print
Ian Pavey
Manufacturer: Batiste Publications Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097NC9U
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Ink & Print, published by Batiste Publications Ltd. on March 22, 1997. The length of the article is 1925 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Static hazards and problems in the printing and manufacture of inks.
Author: Ian Pavey
Publication: Ink & Print (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 1997
Publisher: Batiste Publications Ltd.
Volume: v15 Issue: n2 Page: p32(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

1991 International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity (SuDoc NAS 1.55:3106/V.1-2)

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1991 International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity (SuDoc NAS 1.55:3106/V.1-2)
NASA
Manufacturer: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Management, Scientific and Technical Information Program National Technical Information Service, distributor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Electrostatic Hazards
Heinz Haase
Manufacturer: Wiley-VCH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Applied | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3527256849

Electrostatic Hazards in the Petroleum Industry (Electrostatics & Electrostatic Applicati)

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Electrostatic Hazards in the Petroleum Industry (Electrostatics & Electrostatic Applicati)
W. M. Bustin , and W. G. Dukek
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

An up-to-date guide to basic concepts and applications in geneticsfrom classic inheritance and population genetics to cutting-edge molecular genetics and biotechnology

Provides 450 detailed problems, with step-by-step solutions, along with expert techniques for solving difficult problems, considerably expanding the reader's range of experience with various kinds of problems

This updated and expanded fourth edition of the best-selling solved-problem study guide, features new chapters on gene structure and regulation and mitochondrial inheritance, as well as new material on special topics, such as developmental genetics, bacterial genetics, viruses, transposable elements, cancer, and more

Customer Reviews:

Schaum's Outline of Genetics.......2006-03-19

It is very informative and a great reference for the study of genetics and related studies.
It is self-explanatory in the theories presented and easy to comprehend.

It is a must-have reference!

best genetics text available.......2003-08-23

The Stansfield/Elrod outline remains as comprehensive as any of the intro to genetics textbooks currently available. At about 10-15% the cost of the "standard" texts, this outline delivers the same material with more clarity, and often more accuracy. The concepts of classical genetics, which often prove more challenging for students than molecular aspects, are covered admirably in this book. While those who enjoy colorful illustration and pastel text boxes might be disappointed, the b&w figures in this book are extremely clear, logical and most importantly helpful towards learning the material. No solution manual or supplemental CD-ROM is required. Highly recommended as a reference, or as a text for general genetics classes.

real bargain.......2003-08-10

Comparable in scope, clarity, completeness, and accuracy to any of the very expensive general genetics texts currently available. And with this one there's nothing else to buy...no study guides, solution manuals, cd's or supplemental websites are required. The book stands alone, and does so for less than half the price of the solution manual for most texts. Particularly strong is the coverage of classical genetics, which can often be more difficult to grasp than the more modern "molecular" concepts of the science. Highly recommended for self-study, as a reference, or as a supplement to any genetics textbook.

Schaums Outline Of Theory and Problems of Genetics

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Schaums Outline Of Theory and Problems of Genetics

Manufacturer: Mcgraw Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000BDDCOW

Product Description

Theory and Problems of Genetics

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Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Genetics

Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Genetics
William D. Stansfield
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Schaum's Outline Of Genetics

ASIN: 0071128042

Book Description

In Genetics, Third Edition, students learn the underlying concepts and applications of genetics. They will also find up-to-date coverage of molecular genetics and the molecular biology of eucaryotic cells and their viruses. Numerous illustrations, 209 problems solved step-by-step, 1,000 additional practice problems, and 433 review questions make key points memorable and prepare readers for all kinds of typical genetics exams.

Customer Reviews:

Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Genetics.......2000-05-05

an excellent way to prepare for exams in Genetics, BICD 100 @ ucsd. I highly recommend this book.

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SCHAUM'S OUTLINE OF THEORY AND PROBLEMS OF GENETICS
William D. Stansfield
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P8TSAA

SCHAUM'S OUTLINE SERIES - THEORY AND PROBLEMS OF GENETICS

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SCHAUM'S OUTLINE SERIES - THEORY AND PROBLEMS OF GENETICS

Manufacturer: MCGRAW HILL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HDOTZ2

Genetics 2/ed Schaum's Outline Series Theory and Problems of Genetics

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Genetics 2/ed Schaum's Outline Series Theory and Problems of Genetics
William D. Stansfield
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFXC3I

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Schaum's Outline Of Genetics
Susan Elrod
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFK4JI

Schaum's Outline Of Theory And Problems Of Genetics Third Edition

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Schaum's Outline Of Theory And Problems Of Genetics Third Edition
William D. Stansfield
Manufacturer: Schaum Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFVA8M

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For me, it was a career starter

Schaum's Outline Series, Theory and Problems of Genetics
William D. Stansfield
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LBD4CE

Product Description

Includes 500 solved problems

Customer Reviews:

For me, it was a career starter.......2007-01-03

This book quite literally got my biology career started. I had just graduated with an associate's degree and was going on to a four-year school. With limited funds and time available, I needed to take as few classes as possible as quickly as possible. Rather than backtrack and take lower level classes in biology, I wanted to jump right into an advanced class, namely genetics. However, it was first necessary to convince my advisor that I could handle it.
To prepare myself, I bought this book and began going through the problems. I hit them hard, solving most of them before I met with my advisor. During our interview, I had him ask me some genetics questions and I was able to answer all of them. He then allowed me to take the course and I had no trouble pulling an A. The questions were an excellent preparation for the class, most of the questions I encountered in the class were over something I had already dealt with in this book. I strongly recommend it either as a supplement or as a guide for self-study.

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