The Tools of Regulation
By: Arie Freiberg
About This Book
Good policy is all very well but it is meaningless without good execution. The Tools of Regulation focuses on execution: what processes and tools are available to government regulators to achieve regulatory outcomes? Six broad approaches are adopted to analyse and classify regulatory tools: economic, transactional, authorisational, structural, informational and legal. These tools not only include the traditional 'command and control' statutory methods, but also taxes and charges, subsidies, licences, accreditations, contracts, grants and information campaigns as forms of regulation. Regulation, under this conception, is not just about enforcement but about the prosaic, day-to-day factors that operate to influence behaviour and produce regulatory outcomes. These factors form the 'webs of influence' that operate at different times and in different contexts to produce 'normal' behaviour. These influences include market forces, social norms, ethics, codes of conduct and practice, guidelines, standards, business processes and technological constraints. Regulation is as much about regularity as it is about deviance. For a busy practitioner, regulator or regulatee or novice scholar the theoretical literature can be challenging and obscure. This book provides them with a practical, simple and accessible guide to modern regulation in whatever field of regulation they are interested.
AI Overview
Title: The Tools of Regulation Author: Arie Freiberg Publisher: Federation Press, NSW (2010) ISBN: 9781862878020 Pages: 366
Key Themes
Regulatory Outcomes: The book focuses on the processes and tools available to government regulators to achieve desired regulatory outcomes. It emphasizes that regulation is not just about enforcement but also about the day-to-day factors that influence behavior and produce regulatory outcomes.
Web of Influence: The concept of a "web of influence" is central to the book. This refers to the various factors such as market forces, social norms, ethics, codes of conduct, guidelines, standards, business processes, and technological constraints that operate to influence behavior and produce normal behavior.
Achieving Regularity and Preventing Deviance: The book highlights that regulation is equally about achieving regularity as it is about preventing deviance. It explores how these goals can be achieved even if the regulation is poorly implemented or enforced.
Practical Guide: The book is designed as a practical, simple, and accessible guide for practitioners, regulators, and scholars. It aims to provide tools for understanding and influencing the regulatory process.
Plot Summary
The book "The Tools of Regulation" by Arie Freiberg is an introductory text that examines the tools and processes available to government regulators. It delves into the conceptualization of regulation, moving beyond mere enforcement to include the broader influences on behavior. The text is structured to provide a clear understanding of who, what, where, when, why, and how regulation operates in society.
Critical Reception
Positive Reception:
- Practical Approach: The book is praised for its practical approach, making it accessible to both busy practitioners and novice scholars. It is recommended for public servants, regulators, and politicians who need to understand the regulatory process.
- Thorough Exploration: The text is commended for its thorough exploration of why regulation can achieve its aims despite poor implementation or enforcement. It also provides readers with tools to evaluate whether a better form of regulation might have been chosen.
- Worthwhile Read: For those in government or with an administrative law bent, the book is considered a worthwhile read for understanding and influencing the web of laws.
Academic Reviews:
- Book Reviews: The book has received positive reviews from academics. For example, Randal Stewart's review in the Journal of Public Administration highlights the book's comprehensive coverage of public administration and sociology, making it a valuable resource for scholars.
Additional Information
- Target Audience: The book is intended for policy practitioners within and outside government, regulators, and students. It is also relevant for school teachers and community groups who might be interested in understanding regulatory processes.
- Publication Details: The book was published by Federation Press in 2010 with an ISBN of 9781862878020. It contains 366 pages.
Overall, "The Tools of Regulation" by Arie Freiberg provides a comprehensive and practical guide to modern regulation, emphasizing the complex web of influences that shape regulatory outcomes. Its critical reception highlights its value as a resource for both practitioners and scholars.