Good and Bad Power: by Geoff Mulgan (paperback)

“Good and Bad Power” explores the ideals and betrayals of government, from the ancient to the modern world.

Geoff Mulgan guides us through political traditions from around the world, and explores the day-to-day moral dilemmas of secrecy, loyalty, peace and war whilst mapping out the common patterns of decay and moral attrition that administrations experiences. He shows how often democratic governments have been captures by special interests – and how hard it is to keep them focused on their duties of service.

Recent evidence shows that the quality of government does more to shape human happiness than anything else – more than economic growth, education or health. But few societies have found it easy to get the government they want or need.

Many states remain oppressive, secretive and violent, yet the only thing as bad as states that are too strong, argues Geoff Mulgan, are states that are too weak to protect their citizens from poverty and war. The democracies of western Europe and north America may have found a rough balance, but disillusionment and low trust in politicians still make it difficult for them to get to grips with problems facing their societies. And at a global level, the institutions that could prevent wars, avert global warming and promote human rights lack the legitimacy to act decisively.

Something has gone badly wrong in our relationship with power. Drawing on philosophical argument, historical examples and personal experience working in government, Good and Bad Power explains why this has happened and what can be done.

• How can we make states simultaneously stronger and better?
• How can we make them moral but not indecisive, honest but not ineffective?

Geoff Mulgan argues that morality is not guaranteed by well-crafted constitutions or the personal values of leaders alone, but is dependent on the moral quality of the media, activists, commentators and the public as a whole. Moreover, democracies require constant and vigorous renewal and challenge, usually from outside the political system.

For thousands of years very diverse civilizations have imagined how states could be servants rather than brutal masters. But it is only now that there is a realistic prospect of realizing that dream on a large scale. This book shows us how.

Praise for Good and Bad Power