This book focuses squarely on the problem of saving local government in the context of extraordinary financial challenges being faced across the globe. Saving Local Government is written principally for practitioners and employs a ‘conversational’ tone which makes complex theory both engaging and accessible. It augments world-best scholarship with Professor Joseph Drew’s extensive practical experience in guiding local governments away from the brink of financial insolvency. It is thus a ‘must read’ for local government executives, Mayors, Councillors and the regulators that oversee the sector.
In Saving Local Government Professor Drew also makes a number of important contributions to address significant gaps in the scholarly literature. In particular, the book includes extensive treatment of de-amalgamation, applied natural law philosophy, Aristotelian epistemology for evaluating public policy success, as well as alternatives to financial administration. The work is therefore also compelling reading for scholars.
Author(s): Joseph Drew
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 178
City: Singapore
Contents
Chapter 1: Saving Local Government: Financial Sustainability in a Challenging World
Why Save Local Government?
Why I Wrote This Book
Background
Kal Vahomer and Personal Budgets
A Health Metaphor and Outline of Book
Using This Book as a Manual
My Hope
References
Chapter 2: Principles of Local Government Health
Introduction
Natural Law and Local Government
The Wherefore of Local Government
The Decentralisation Theorem
The Principle of Subsidiarity
Principle of Double Effect
Prescription and Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Evaluating Public Policy Interventions
Introduction
Three Lenses Through Which to View Success
An Epistemology of Success
A Moral Lens for Evaluating Success
Prescription and Conclusion
Concluding Comments for Part I
References
Chapter 4: Local Government Amalgamations
Introduction
Key Theoretical Concepts Associated with Amalgamation
Economies of Scale
Principle of Double Effect and Local Government Amalgamation
Why Amalgamations Often Fail to Live Up to Expectations
Shoddy Consultants
Sham Stakeholder Consultations
Unplanned and Under-Stated Expenses
Poor Post-implementation Planning
The Special Case of Rural Local Government
Alternatives to Radical Surgery
Conclusion and Prescriptions
References
Chapter 5: Local Government De-Amalgamation and Boundary Reduction
Introduction
Key Theoretical Concepts Associated with De-Amalgamation and Boundary Reductions
Planning an Efficacious Separation – A Detailed Template
Assessing the Patient
Detailing the Costs and Savings Associated with De-Amalgamation
The Moral Dimension of De-Amalgamation
The Transition Manager as Instantiation of Moral Consideration
Other (People) Matters
Post-separation Care
Conclusions and Prescriptions
References
Chapter 6: Moral Expenditure and Revenue
Introduction
Natural Law and Government Finance
Public Goods
A Suitable Tax Base for Local Government
Taxation Categories
Merit Goods, Goods with Externalities, and Subsidium
Private Goods
Conclusions and Prescriptions
Appendices
Appendix 1: Adapting Henry George’s (2006) Ideas to a World of High Density Living and Little Remnant Unimproved Land
Appendix 2: Land Tax Options – Base Rates, Minimum Rates, Taxation Limitations, and Pensioner Discounts.
Base Rates and Minimum Rates
Taxation Limitations (Rate Capping)
Pensioner Discounts
References
Chapter 7: Local Government Debt and Intergovernmental Grants
Introduction
Supplements and Their Effects – The Importance of Perspective
Fiscal Illusion
Local Government Debt
Intergovernmental Grants and Minimising Fiscal Illusion
Conclusions and Prescriptions
References
Chapter 8: Local Government and the Common Good
Introduction
The Common Good
Discovering the Common Good
Planning the Common Good
Two Examples of Planning for the Common Good
Conclusions and Prescriptions
Concluding Comments for Part II
Appendix: The Duties of the King
References
Chapter 9: Local Government Fiscal Emergency Response
Introduction
Warning Signs of Impending Crisis
Emergency Protocol
Local Government Emergency Interventions
Emergency Interventions that Require Co-operation of Higher Tier Governments
A Mentor Model for Providing Help
The Fiscal Physician
Conclusions and Prescriptions
References
Chapter 10: The Prognosis for Local Government
Introduction
Change of Philosophy
Knowledge
Conclusions and Prescriptions
References
