The Cult of Efficiency (Massey Lectures)

We live in an age dominated by the cult of efficiency. When it is used correctly, efficiency is important: it must always be part of the conversation when resources are scarce and citizens and governments have important choices to make among competing priorities. Janice Stein draws on public education and universal health care, locally and globally as flashpoints in the debate about efficiencies and their delivery. She argues that what will define the quality of education and health care is whether citizens and experts can negotiate new standards of accountability. The cult of efficiency will not take us far enough.