Public and Private Partnerships: Accounting for the New Religion
Author(s)
Minow, Martha
Abstract
American schools, prisons, welfare agencies, and social service programs have been largely or exclusively public in terms of their funding, operations, and identities over the past forty years, yet they now face major experiments in privatization. This article considers how current privatization efforts build upon and depart from historical practice. It then considers reasons to endorse and reasons to object to current privatization efforts. After arguing for a conception of partnership – joining public and private efforts to meet basic human needs – this article identifies accountability as the central issue requiring inventive work and renewed public involvement and identity, and offers suggestions for promoting accountability.
