Big: The Role of the State in the Modern Economy

by Richard Denniss

Scott Morrison wants to spend a lot more money on defence, the business community wants more spending on infrastructure and education, an ageing population wants better health and aged care, and young Australians want more action on climate change and affordable housing. Each problem requires more public spending, but for decades Australians have been told that the less government spends, the better their lives will be. There is a clear alternative: follow the lead of the Nordic countries in the provision of great public health, education, housing, and infrastructure, and in doing so boost economic productivity and deliver higher standards of living at lower cost. It is time to jettison the obsession with the ‘unfinished reform agenda’ of the 1990s, to consider the breadth and depth of the new challenges confronting Australia, and to chart a course in which governments take more responsibility for solving the problems that will dominate Australian lives in the years ahead. We must abandon decades of denial that the public sector can play a bigger and better role in improving our lives. To build the bigger government these times demand, we must first abandon the baggage of the past.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Economics, Australia

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Richard Denniss is the Chief Economist and former Executive Director of The Australia Institute. He is a prominent Australian economist, author and public policy commentator, and a former Adjunct Associate Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Dr Denniss was described by Mark Kenny in the Sydney Morning Herald as "a constant thorn in the side of politicians on both sides due to his habit of skewering dodgy economic justifications for policy".

Reviews

[Jim-my · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well constructed essay from Denniss! Provides a clear and well reasoned argument against that of public sector and government spending minimisation.

[Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly describes the modern Australian economy. Not only this but it shows how democracy has it's positives and negatives, a must read for those who are confused about the state of Australian economy or just interested in an economist's pov!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief essay but brilliantly observed and clearly written. Since before Howard even, the myth has been peddled that the way to a strong economy is small government, low taxes and minimal regulation. The example of the Nordic countries tells us the exact opposite, they are high taxing, with large government run economy, education free from preschool to university, excellent health services, a strong innovative and productive economy and happy people. Australia , despite a small populaton comparatively, spends more on defence than all our neighbours combined, has a very small public sector, has wasted profits in cutting taxes instead of building up publc works, fnding education and health properly, creating huge inequality, funding very rich private schools like Geelong grammar with equestrian centre and large grounds whereas as many publc schools are grossly underfunded and so crowded the playgrounds are unusable. Subsidises fossil fuel companies, pays JobKeeper to companies making rich profits, has an effective Defense Housing Authority providing excellent accommodation for servicemen, rightly, but pours shame on those who need public housing, shaming those in need. The Government is bigger than ever but serves the ends of the already rich, shuns debate on what our priorities should be. Much of the criticism is sheeted home to Howard and subsequent coalition PMs, Morrison in particularly, This a very recent book, but not recent enough being pre 2022 election. Dennis must write a similar analysis of the present government to see if these long standing habits of neoliberal thinking override whatever intentions Albanese had in coming to power. .

[Jim KABLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

The LNP - the Lies of National Politics - as exposed in this thrilling read by Richard Denniss.

The myths of neo-liberalism fed without cessation to our nation of smaller public service of the need to lower taxes of selling off our public instrumentalities - of the poisonous demonisation of our elderly of those attending public schools of those requiring public housing assistance - beaten and otherwise humiliated by Robodebt excesses and ugly welfare cards…this and much more - the profligacy of public money handed over to mates but not to public schools or universal health care etc … buy it at once - you can read it in an hour - easy to understand! And you will never vote for the Liars of the National Political scene ever again.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important contribution to the debate about Australia's future. Personally, I agree with Denniss and hope there will be much more discussion about this matter during the forthcoming election period.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Denniss knows there is only one role for the State: make the working people poor, so his caste could have more money. After all restaurants in Europe are so much more expensive today, than say 20 years ago, and so are the US Universities to which you should send his relatives.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

We currently have a temporary light leaning us in the right direction but how strong it is and how long it will last is yet to be seen. As stated many times in the book we have the power to push and guide it.

[Georgia]

this book: ah but imagine how much worse it would have been if we’d privatised this really important thing in Australia!

me, a Kiwi: ha ha yeah imagine 😐

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put him in charge!

[Peter Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revealing the lies

[Holstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially relevant now that we have a new government with new MP's and Senators with diverse views and lived experiences

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion.

[Bukhosibenkosi Masango · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series and a great review of the modern economy in an Australian context.

[Cara Whippetwhisperer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As they say in Russia 'For my friends, anything. For my enemies the law'.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very insightful, topical book, with an election almost upon us.
Get a copy, read it and share it.
Great food for considered thought.

[Confusion · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this 90 page book on economics there are 7 citations. You heard me, 7. Richard will make assertions that are completely unsourced which is most egregious when he talks about the effect a certain policy had, even if he is right and what he alleges is true he should be citing a source, that is non-fiction writing 101. He mentions dying with dignity 3 times in the first 30 pages which is just weird, the first time it was inoffensive the second and third it just seems like his personal ideological posturing. I wouldn't recommend this book.