All too often government lacks the skill, the will, and the wallet to meet its missions. Schools fall short of the mark while roads and bridges fall into disrepair. Health care costs too much and delivers too little. Budgets bleed red ink as the cost of services citizens want outstrips the taxes...

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Introduction -- The Object and Approach of This Book -- Limitations -- I A Theory of Regulation -- 1 Typical Justifications for Regulation -- The Control of Monopoly Power -- Rent Control or "Excess Profits -- Compensating for Spillovers (Externalities) --...