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The economist's view of the world : and the quest for well-being

"There is much talk these days of government programs that do not achieve their objectives. The economist, however, sees a bittersweet quality in even those programs that do achieve their objectives. The crowd at the groundbreaking for the new community recreation center finds it a happy occasion that will soon make available wholesome sports for the young and community-building opportunities for senior citizens. The economist broods: "Yes, but by spending the money here and not elsewhere, we give up the remedial reading program that might raise low-income students' test scores a full grade, and the new public park in the underserved north end of town. And what about the recreational opportunities that local families might enjoy if the tax dollars to pay for this center were left in their pockets?""--Released in 1984, Steven E. Rhoads' classic was considered by many to be among the best introductions to the economic way of thinking and its applications. This anniversary edition has been updated to account for political and economic developments - from the greater interest in redistributing income and the ascendancy of behaviorism to the Trump presidency. Rhoads explores opportunity cost, marginalism, and economic incentives and explains why mainstream economists - even those well to the left - still value free markets. He critiques economics for its unbalanced emphasis on narrow self-interest as controlling motive and route to happiness, highlighting philosophers and positive psychologists' findings that happiness is far more dependent on friends and family than on income or wealth. This thought-provoking tour of the economist's mind is a must read for our times, providing a clear, lively, non-technical insight into how economists think and why they shouldn't be ignored.

How we vote : innovation in American elections

"How We Vote uses the lens of public administration to examine the conduct of elections and the work of election officials as a contemporary intergovernmental enterprise. Kathleen Hale and Mitchell Brown explore how election officials are innovating to resolve the interconnected management, technological, and political challenges in the more than 8,000 election jurisdictions across the United States. This environment is complex not only because voting practices vary from state to state but because national officials, multiple government agencies, the judicial system, voting equipment vendors, nonprofit groups, and citizen activists also influence practices, boundaries, and possibilities for change. Each topical chapter is grounded in original data gathered from national, state, and local election officials and policymakers across the United States. The topical chapters analyze voter registration, voting options, improvements in voter convenience, support for voting in languages other than English, the integrity of the voting process, and voting system technology to offer a fascinating picture of how we vote now and will do so in the future. The solutions crafted by election administrators illuminate the process of public sector innovation and change"--Publisher's description.The idea of voting is simple, but the administration of elections in ways that ensure access and integrity is complex. In How We Vote, Kathleen Hale and Mitchell Brown explore what is at the heart of our democracy: how elections are run. Election administration determines how ballots are cast and counted, and how jurisdictions try to innovate while also protecting the security of the voting process, as well as how election officials work. Election officials must work in a difficult intergovernmental environment of constant change and intense partisanship. Voting practices and funding vary from state to state, and multiple government agencies, the judicial system, voting equipment vendors, nonprofit groups, and citizen activists also influence practices and limit change. Despite real challenges and pessimistic media assessments, Hale and Brown demonstrate that election officials are largely successful in their work to facilitate, protect, and evolve the voting process. Using original data gathered from state and local election officials and policymakers across the United States, Hale and Brown analyze innovations in voter registration, voting options, voter convenience, support for voting in languages other than English, the integrity of the voting process, and voting system technology. The result is a fascinating picture of how we vote now and will vote in the future.

Online EBSCO University Press

How we vote : innovation in American elections

"How We Vote uses the lens of public administration to examine the conduct of elections and the work of election officials as a contemporary intergovernmental enterprise. Kathleen Hale and Mitchell Brown explore how election officials are innovating to resolve the interconnected management, technological, and political challenges in the more than 8,000 election jurisdictions across the United States. This environment is complex not only because voting practices vary from state to state but because national officials, multiple government agencies, the judicial system, voting equipment vendors, nonprofit groups, and citizen activists also influence practices, boundaries, and possibilities for change. Each topical chapter is grounded in original data gathered from national, state, and local election officials and policymakers across the United States. The topical chapters analyze voter registration, voting options, improvements in voter convenience, support for voting in languages other than English, the integrity of the voting process, and voting system technology to offer a fascinating picture of how we vote now and will do so in the future. The solutions crafted by election administrators illuminate the process of public sector innovation and change"--Publisher's description.The idea of voting is simple, but the administration of elections in ways that ensure access and integrity is complex. In How We Vote, Kathleen Hale and Mitchell Brown explore what is at the heart of our democracy: how elections are run. Election administration determines how ballots are cast and counted, and how jurisdictions try to innovate while also protecting the security of the voting process, as well as how election officials work. Election officials must work in a difficult intergovernmental environment of constant change and intense partisanship. Voting practices and funding vary from state to state, and multiple government agencies, the judicial system, voting equipment vendors, nonprofit groups, and citizen activists also influence practices and limit change. Despite real challenges and pessimistic media assessments, Hale and Brown demonstrate that election officials are largely successful in their work to facilitate, protect, and evolve the voting process. Using original data gathered from state and local election officials and policymakers across the United States, Hale and Brown analyze innovations in voter registration, voting options, voter convenience, support for voting in languages other than English, the integrity of the voting process, and voting system technology. The result is a fascinating picture of how we vote now and will vote in the future.

Online EBSCO Academic Comprehensive Collection