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Why do so many government policies fail to achieve their objectives? Why are our political leaders not held to account for policy failures?
Drawing on his years of experience as a senior government policy maker, as well as on global research, Stephen Muers uses examples ranging from the collapse of the Soviet Union to Cold War Germany, the election of Donald Trump and the Brexit referendum to expose the crucial impact culture and values have on policy success and political accountability.
This illuminating study sets out why policy makers need to take culture seriously, how culture and values shape the political system and presents essential, practical recommendations for what governments should do differently.
Introduction
What are culture and values?
Part One: Why culture and values matter for public policy
Culture determines whether policies work
Culture and values determine whether policies are legitimate
Arguments about values and the purpose of democracy
Governments can't help affecting culture
Part Two: How culture and values shape the political system
Values voters
Accountability in a values-driven system
Part Three: How policy makers can take culture seriously
Taking symbols seriously
Doing more locally
Building organisations
Being smart about evidence
Conclusion