Around the World in 80 Ideas

INTRODUCTION Around the World in 80 Ideas Around the World in 80 Ideas is just that - 80 policy ideas from many different countries, which have replaced state ownership and control with choice, competition, freedom and innovation. The whole world is represented - from the commercialization of the Coffee Board in Ghana, to the private use of government-owned land in China; from airline deregulation in the United States to private maths education in Japan; from contracting-out the management of government buildings in Britain to economic reforms in Estonia. And these good ideas cover all aspects of government and the economy, from welfare, through utility reform and transport, to economic policy, health and education. For each of the 80 entries, we have tried to identify the core problem which required to be solved, the new thinking that was applied to solve it, and the results that followed. We have tried to be objective and to point out difficulties or shortcomings that have occurred in the process. And we have provided web links and references where you can find more information. The world of public policy changes quickly, and there is a wealth of material here, so we would welcome your help to keep our entries up to date. Just email us at info@adamsmith.org. The lesson of Around the World in 80 Ideas is that economic and social reform is not only possible - but it has already happened in many places. There is no need for reformers to make mistakes, because someone has already made them, and learnt from them. And we hope you can draw useful lessons from these ideas too. Dr Eamonn Butler Keith Boyfield