The relationship between government, virtue, and wealth has held a special fascination since Aristotle, and the importance of each frames policy debates today in both developed and developing countries. While it's clear that low-quality government institutions have tremendous negative effects on the health and wealth of societies, the criteria for good governance remain far from clear. In this pathbreaking book, leading political scientist Bo Rothstein provides a theoretical foundation for empirical analysis on the connection between the quality of government and important economic, political, and social outcomes. Focusing on the effects of government policies, he argues that unpredictable actions constitute a severe impediment to economic growth and development - and that a basic characteristic of quality government is impartiality in the exercise of power. This is borne out by cross-sectional analyses, experimental studies, and in-depth historical investigations. Timely and topical, "The Quality of Government" tackles such issues as political legitimacy, social capital, and corruption.

About the Author
Bo Rothstein is the August Rohss Chair in Political Science at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. He is the author of several books, including, most recently, Social Traps and the Problem of Trust.

Reviews
"Bo Rothstein asks what high-quality government can and should be, and gives us multiple reasons to care about the answers he proposes. The Quality of Government is a theoretically sophisticated and imaginative discussion of issues that have needed a fresh look for some time." (Michael Johnston, Colgate University)"



Book Information
ISBN 9780226729572
Author Bo Rothstein
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint University of Chicago Press
Publisher The University of Chicago Press
Weight(grams) 454g
Dimensions(mm) 23mm * 15mm * 2mm