What is Government Good At?- Wins Prestigious Donner Prize

“Savoie draws clear distinctions between what government is good at, largely those things it is uniquely placed to deliver – and a much longer list of things at which government is not good. Savoie makes a strong case that government must focus on its strengths or potentially risk losing those responsibilities to other actors. In the name of increased transparency and accountability, Savoie believes we have disempowered the public service and have created a risk-averse and demoralized group of public servants. Donald J. Savoie’s book is one that Canadians, both inside and outside of government, should read with a sense of urgency.” —Donner Prize Jury

Professor Savoie has published over forty books, and has been shortlisted for the Donner Prize on three previous occasions.

The Donner Prize, established in 1998, annually rewards excellence and innovation in Canadian public policy thinking, writing and research. In bestowing this award, the Donner Canadian Foundation seeks to broaden policy debates, increase general awareness of the importance of policy decision making and make an original and meaningful contribution to policy discourse.
For more information:  www.donnerbookprize.com

What Is Government Good At?
A Canadian Answer

By Donald J. Savoie

A thorough examination of where government succeeds and where it fails.

Recent decades have shown the public’s support for government plummet alongside political leaders’ credibility. This downward spiral calls for an exploration of what has gone wrong. The questions, “What is government good at?” and “What is government not good at?” are critical ones – and their answers should be the basis for good public policy and public administration.
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