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> Governments are typically terrible financial stewards Well, no: many governments are far more responsible than most individuals. That's not true in counties
by bertil 16y ago
> Governments are typically terrible financial stewards
Well, no: many governments are far more responsible than most individuals. That's not true in counties were everyone criticize the government as strongly as you do in the United States, but in countries where government positions are prestigious, the most talented people work there. As recently demonstrated, financial incentives are no where as efficient as job safety and support for creative tasks, this is why a system that promote civic dedication has tremendous impact.
- quadhome 16y agoWhat's a country where government positions are prestigious for reasons other than they're an opportunity to participate in bribery and corruption? (Switzerland?)
- Benjo 16y agoFrom what I understand, the government of Singapore keeps corruption low just by paying their officials a lot. The president makes about $3 million. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Singapore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Singapore It may just be an anecdote but it seems like a reasonable system to me. EDIT: had the wrong dollar amount.
- cellshade 16y agoThat wikipedia page says about 3 million, not 300 million.
- Benjo 16y agoMy mistake: fixed.
- dualogy 16y agoGermany had the same "strategy". I'm not sure pre-emptively bribing every official up-front really solves the "cost" issue to Joe Sixpack. Corruption might be more affordable in the end...
- bertil 16y agoSome countries value what you can't buy. Peerage works well in the UK, and is rather cheap. In France, the possibility to spend a career working in central historical buildings makes the best minds cram for decades.