Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths

Save:
Find on Amazon

'The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths' by Mariana Mazzucato delves into the intricate relationship between the public and private sectors in fostering technological innovation. The book challenges prevailing notions about the role of government in innovation, highlighting the crucial contributions made by public funding to drive breakthroughs in various industries. Through detailed examples and statistical evidence, Mazzucato argues that the government plays a vital role in not only financing but also shaping the direction of innovation, ultimately debunking myths surrounding the innovation process.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is dense and academic, marked by repetition and a polemical tone, which may hinder readability for some audiences.

Plot/Storyline:

The book challenges the common notion that the private sector is the main driver of innovation, advocating for the essential role of government in supporting technological advancements.

Setting:

The setting revolves around contemporary economic discussions on innovation and technology, referencing historical developments.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven, with dense sections that may slow down readers, making it feel lengthy.
Governments have always been lousy at picking winners, and they are likely to become more so, as legions of entrepreneurs and tinkerers swap designs online, turn them into products at home and market ...

Notes:

Mariana Mazzucato argues that the state plays a crucial role in funding innovations that private companies often take credit for.
Examples of government-funded innovations include the Internet, GPS, and various technologies used in Apple products.
Mazzucato claims that without state support, many technological advances would not have occurred as private companies are typically risk-averse.
The book highlights that many successful technologies emerged from military-funded projects.
Mazzucato points out that while the state funds foundational research, private firms often profit from these innovations with little regulation or return on investment to the government.
Critics argue that Mazzucato selectively presents industries and downplays failures of state-led initiatives, like the Concorde.
She challenges the idea that the private sector is inherently more innovative than the public sector, suggesting that both contribute significantly to technological advances.
Mazzucato proposes that governments should capture more economic returns from innovations they help create, such as through royalties.
The book highlights the historical role of government in supporting R&D, particularly in high-risk areas where private investment is scarce.
Despite the criticisms, the book stresses the importance of recognizing and understanding the government's role in fostering innovation in the economy.

From The Publisher:

The world's most popular products, from the iPhone to Google Search, were funded not by private companies, but the taxpayer.

In this sharp and controversial international bestseller, an award-winning economist debunks the pervasive myth that the government is sluggish and inept, and at odds with a dynamic private sector. She reveals in detailed case studies that the opposite is true: the state is, and has been, our boldest and most valuable innovator. Denying this history is leading us down the wrong path. A select few get credit for what is an intensely collective effort, and the US government has started disinvesting from innovation. The repercussions could stunt economic growth and increase inequality. Mazzucato teaches us how to reverse this trend before it is too late.

Ratings (1)

Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (3):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (2)
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.