Third-Party Governance: Using Third Parties to Deliver Governmental Goods and Services

Thousands of college students apply for and receive federally guaranteed loans to fund their educations in the US, managed by nongovernmental entities. This book explores the theory and practice of third-party governance, introducing readers to market-oriented tools such as contracting, networks, and public-private partnerships. It also discusses the issues at play in third-party governance, including transaction costs and the practices that mitigate them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Thousands of college students in the United States apply for and receive federally guaranteed loans each year to finance their education. These loans are managed by nongovernmental entities such as Sallie Mae and College Ave Student Loans, which indirectly implement the public goal of affordable higher education. In other words, the US Department of Education relies on these nongovernmental entities to implement public policy through third parties. The focus of this book is on the theory and practice of third-party governance, exploring where and how this indirect implementation occurs compared to direct implementation. It aims to help students understand market-oriented tools such as contracting, networks, public-private partnerships, and other collaborative governance mechanisms that are used in third-party governance. This background is essential for understanding modern governance arrangements worldwide.

Author Jessica N. Terman delves into the reasons behind government and the market, as well as the theories behind when one or both should be used. The book is filled with case studies that examine the issues involved in third-party governance, including transaction costs and the practices employed to mitigate them. It also discusses the emergence of networks and their impact on the governance structure of public policy implementation. The book takes a jargon-free approach, providing a primer on third-party governance that introduces readers to the structure of government and the factors that influence contemporary policy implementation.

Third-Party Governance will be an essential reading for courses related to public administration, public policy, and governance and collaboration. It offers valuable insights into the role of third parties in shaping public policy and provides a comprehensive understanding of the tools and mechanisms used in third-party governance.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032261751