The Guide to Reform

"We all know what to do, but we don‘t know how to get re-elected once we have done it.”

This simple statement by Jan-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, throws light on a key political conundrum. Why have proven successful reforms not spread like a grass fire from country to country?

The purpose of The Guide to Reform is to solve this alleged mystery. The fact is that many purported political obstacles to reform are not obstacles at all. For example, almost all reform-embracing governments in OECD countries have been re-elected – at least once.

It is also untrue that liberalising reforms have socially adverse consequences; on the contrary, incomes and employment have often increased the most in low-income groups. The common view that an economic crisis is the necessary catalyst for reform is also a myth. Crises often lead to harmful policies. Moreover, a number of countries have reformed in good times.

The Guide to Reform shows that all OECD countries need reforms – to varying degrees. It also reveals a broad consensus among experts concerning the direction those reforms should take. We visit more than a dozen reform countries, and describe the astonishing results.

Every country has its opponents to reform – from those who generally resist change to special interest groups. But these obstacles can be overcome; it’s all about strategy. This book offers hands-on tips on how to get it done.

The main aim is to inspire policymakers to embrace reforms that lead generally to progress and specifically to wealth creation. Timbro has published this book in association with the Institute of Economic Affairs.

It is now in its second edition and has been praised by leading commentators such as Wolfgang Münchau at the Financial Times and politicians like Ivan Miklos, former Finance Minister of Slovakia.

• ISBN: 9780255366182
• Publisher: TIMBRO/STIFTELSEN FRITT NÄRINGSLIV
• Author: Johnny Munkhammar
• Language: English

Price: 21.00 €

Price is exclusive shipping costs. For sales inside Belgium 6% VAT is added to the book price.