
Complexity and the Art of Public Policy
Solving Society's Problems from the Bottom Up
Princeton University Press
Published on 25. May 2014
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-0-691-15209-7 (ISBN)
Description
Complexity science--made possible by modern analytical and computational advances--is changing the way we think about social systems and social theory. Unfortunately, economists' policy models have not kept up and are stuck in either a market fundamentalist or government control narrative. While these standard narratives are useful in some cases, they are damaging in others, directing thinking away from creative, innovative policy solutions. Complexity and the Art of Public Policy outlines a new, more flexible policy narrative, which envisions society as a complex evolving system that is uncontrollable but can be influenced. David Colander and Roland Kupers describe how economists and society became locked into the current policy framework, and lay out fresh alternatives for framing policy questions. Offering original solutions to stubborn problems, the complexity narrative builds on broader philosophical traditions, such as those in the work of John Stuart Mill, to suggest initiatives that the authors call "activist laissez-faire" policies.
Colander and Kupers develop innovative bottom-up solutions that, through new institutional structures such as for-benefit corporations, channel individuals' social instincts into solving societal problems, making profits a tool for change rather than a goal. They argue that a central role for government in this complexity framework is to foster an ecostructure within which diverse forms of social entrepreneurship can emerge and blossom.
Colander and Kupers develop innovative bottom-up solutions that, through new institutional structures such as for-benefit corporations, channel individuals' social instincts into solving societal problems, making profits a tool for change rather than a goal. They argue that a central role for government in this complexity framework is to foster an ecostructure within which diverse forms of social entrepreneurship can emerge and blossom.
Reviews / Votes
"Colander and Kupers reframe the standard public policy debate in terms of complexity theory and describe their approach as evolutionary... The authors provide a strong case that current positions, government control, and market fundamentalism are inadequate to addressing contemporary social problems... Recommended for public policy specialists who seek a qualitative introduction to complexity theory and its application to social issues."--Jennifer M. Miller, Library Journal "[G]roundbreaking."--Sam McNerney, 250 Words "[A]n inspiring new book... Colander and Kupers's book ought to be on every policy maker's reading list."--Mark Buchanan, Bloomberg View "Complexity and the Art of Public Policy is a milestone in the application of scientific knowledge to problem solving in the real world. If it is widely read and applied, it is not an exaggeration to say that the world will become a better place."--David Sloan Wilson, This View of Life "[I]deal for anyone with a serious interest in economics and public policy."--ValueWalk "This is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the potential of a complexity approach for public and economic policy... It is intellectually stimulating and might inspire new research and applications of social simulation as a policy modelling tool."--Flaminio Squazzoni, JASSSMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
3 halftones.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-15209-7 (9780691152097)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

David Colander | Roland Kupers
Complexity and the Art of Public Policy
Solving Society's Problems from the Bottom Up
E-Book
07/2015
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
from
€93.95
Available for download
Persons
David Colander is professor of economics at Middlebury College and the author of The Making of an Economist, Redux (Princeton). Roland Kupers is an associate fellow in the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford. He is the coauthor of The Essence of Scenarios: Learning from the Shell Experience.
Content
Acknowledgments vii PART I. THE COMPLEXITY FRAME FOR POLICY Chapter 1. Twin Peaks 3 Chapter 2. Government With, Not Versus, the Market 19 Chapter 3. I Pencil Revisited: Beyond Market Fundamentalism 31 Chapter 4. The Complexity Policy Frame 44 PART II. EXPLORING THE FOUNDATIONS Chapter 5. How Economics Lost the Complexity Vision 67 Chapter 6. How Macroeconomics Lost the Complexity Vision 89 Chapter 7. Complexity: A New Kind of Science? 109 Chapter 8: A New Kind of Complexity Economics? 131 Chapter 9. Nudging toward a Complexity Policy Frame 156 PART III. LAISSEZ-FAIRE ACTIVISM IN PRACTICE Chapter 10. The Economics of Influence 179 Chapter 11. Implementing Influence Policy 195 Chapter 12. Laissez-Faire Activism 214 Chapter 13. Getting the Ecostructure of Government Right 237 PART IV. THE LOST AGENDA Chapter 14. Getting the Ecostructure of Social Science Education Right 259 Chapter 15. The Lost Agenda 270 Notes 281 Bibliography 291 Index 301