Down from bureaucracy: the ambiguity of privatization and empowerment

Synopsis of Down from bureaucracy: the ambiguity of privatization and empowerment

In this book, Joel F. Handler examines the restructuring of authority and the role of citizens in the modern social welfare state. Through a detailed analysis of decentralization and privatization policies in the United States, the author questions whether these measures truly grant citizens greater control over fundamental aspects of their daily lives, from education to housing.

Handler explores the ideological evolution of the concept of "empowerment" from the 1960s to the 1990s, distinguishing between "empowerment by invitation" and "empowerment by conflict." The work offers a critical perspective on how these transformations can create new opportunities for some sectors, while for others they may result in greater powerlessness, providing an essential map for understanding the challenges of the contemporary regulatory state.