Public Choice Theory

Argumentative Essay # 101748

Political Science > Election and Campaigns
Political Science > Political Theory
Public Administration

This paper discusses the issue of public choice theory and urban governance.

1,056 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer explores public choice theory and the argument that public choice theory provides a thoughtful assessment of what needs to be done if urban governments are to become efficacious and expeditious providers of services to their citizens. The paper briefly outlines the general argument presented by advocates of local government and then provides some of the compelling arguments raised by those who feel public choice theory does not offer a stalwart solution to the problems of local governance. In the end, the writer maintains that while it sounds superficially appealing, public choice theory does not have a lot of empirical data to support many of its key claims.

From the Paper:

"Additionally, public choice theorists argue that municipal governments, because they are monopoly providers, are inefficient insofar as they have little incentive to lower their prices or be innovative. Public choice theorists thus argue that there needs to be a separation between the demand articulation role of government (the collective process whereby it is ascertained how and how much of something will be set aside for public use) and the supplier role of government. Simply put, when governments have to buy services for something, they tend to be exacting in determining the value given for the monies received. All in all, the public choice theorist cleaves to the view that local governance needs to be run as a business - and that government often falls short in its obligations to the general public because it does not separate the provider role and the production role involved in the delivery of a good or service, thereby creating costly inefficiency and waste."

Sample of Sources Used:

Brennan, Geoffrey, and James Buchanan. "Voter choice: evaluating political alternatives." American Behavioral Scientist, 28.2 (1984): 185-201.
Brodsky, David M., and Edward Thompson. "Ethos, public choice, and referendum voting." Social Science Quarterly, 74.2 (1993): 286-299.
Byrnes, J., and B. Dollery. "Local Government Failure in Australia? An Empirical Analysis of New South Wales." Journal of Public Administration, 61.3 (2002): 54-64.
Graham, Katherine, Susan Phillips, and Alan Maslove. Chapter One. In Urban Governance in Canada: Representation, Resources, and Restructuring. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, Ltd. page range for chapter and date not provided by client.
Graham, Katherine, Susan Phillips, and Alan Maslove. "Approaches to the Study of Urban Governance." In Urban Governance in Canada: Representation, Resources, and Restructuring. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, Ltd. page range for chapter and date not provided by client.