Why Governments Get It Wrong: And How They Can Get It Right

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Sometimes governments seem clueless. At other times, they are able to project a sense of calm competence. Some decisions leave people confused, whilst others make sense even to those who oppose them. Why Why Governments Get it Wrong argues that governments are at their most effective when they get their ducks in a row. There are four elements to policymaking that need to be aligned for a policy to be a success, but so often it goes wrong - from the UK school exam fiasco during the pandemic, to the disastrous second US-led invasion of Iraq, and Canada's support for asbestos mining when it was known to be highly toxic. Politics is a tough business. Once elected, governing well is even tougher. But governments and their policies have a huge effect on our lives, even more so when they get it wrong, sometimes leaving us angry, poorer or in ill-health. By examining where governments get it wrong and also their successes, renowned Cambridge academic Dennis C. Grube shows there is a way for governments to get it right and improve all our lives in the process.

Reviews

Insightful . . . A timely book with accessibly provocative arguments -- Steve Richards, author of The Prime Ministers We Never Had
A fascinating and timely look at how government decisions affect our lives and how those in charge can do much better. A must-read -- Sebastian Payne, author of Broken Heartlands
Engaging and accessible -- Ivor Crewe, co-author of The Blunders of Our Governments
There is a real gap for this book . . . international in scope and non-partisan -- Isabel Hardman, author of Why We Get the Wrong Politicians
Highly original and very entertaining . . . This is the book Boris Johnson should have read before he promised to 'Get Brexit Done' -- Gavin Esler, author of How Britain Ends
From the pandemic to the climate crisis, we are living in an era of historic policy-making. Dennis Grubes convincing book teaches all of us how governments get decisions wrong and what we have to do to get them right -- David Lammy MP
This humane, accessible and lucid work will enlighten any voter, and remind any would-be or currently serving politician of the pitfalls to avoid * TLS *

Author Bio

Dennis C. Grube is a professor in politics and public policy at the University of Cambridge, and leads research on political decision-making in the Bennett Institute for Public Policy. A one-time political speechwriter in his native Tasmania, he is the author of three single-author monographs on aspects of politics and policy. Why Governments Get It Wrong is Grube's first book for a wide audience.