Paradoxes of Modernization Unintended Consequences of Public Policy Reform [Hardcover]

This book explores the unintended and unanticipated effects associated with 'modernization' projects and tackles the key question that they provoke - why do policy-makers persist in such enterprises in the face of evidence that they tend to fail?

Paradoxes of Modernizationfirst discusses what is meant by 'modernization' and 'unintended consequences', placing public policy reform within more general intellectual and social trends. It presents eight case study 'modernization' projects. Their architects promised faster trains, a more efficient and reactive health service, a more motivated public service, better performing local government, enhanced information for prospective US university students, reduced rates of child malnutrition in developing countries, and a free, open, safe, interconnected cyberspace for people to conduct their social and political life. Each case provides a neat story with a paradox that varies the modernization theme and tackles the question:why wasthe project pursued? The conclusion categorizes the cases in terms of their outcome, from success to disappointment, and suggests some strategies for a more balanced version of modernization for current and future policy-makers.

Part 1: Understanding Modernization's Paradoxes
1. Introduction,Christopher Hood, Helen Margetts, and Perri 6
2. Modernization Dreams and Public Policy Reform,Helen Margetts
3. When Forethought and Outturn Part: Types of Unanticipated and Unintended Consequences,Perri 6
Part 2: Societal Innovations
4. Ranking of U.S. Public Affairs Educational Programs: Searching for Quality, Finding Equilibrium,H. George Frederickson and Edmund C. Stazyk
5. Et in Arcadia Ego: From Techno-Utopia to Cybercrime,Jeanette Hofmann
6. Happy Surprises? The Development of the World Wide Web and the Semantic Web,Yorick Wilks
Part 3: State-Centred Refld