Business and Public Policy

A former chairman of a major United States corporation once asked: "Why is it that I and my American colleagues are being constantly taken to court—made to stand trial—for activities for which our counterparts in Britain and other parts of Europe are knighted, given peerages, or comparable honors?"

These essays by leading scholars and businessmen explore the origins of the unique, adversary relationship between big business and government in America. The book also assays its current peak level, and proposes steps to mitigate its intensity. Finally, it outlines an approach to educate both private and public managers to deal more effectively with business-government relations. The book and the programs it describes should make an important contribution to more effective private and public policy making.