Description
Book SynopsisSam Brownback was the first modern-day conservative to be elected governor of Kansas, the culmination of a rightward shift in the state's often-dominant Republican Party. This book is a detailed case study of the policies implemented over his two terms as governor, paying particular attention to the impact on state government and services, the economy, public education, and the business environment. The authors provide extensive background, historical evidence, and detailed references. The book's real-world relevance is grounded in a discussion of similar policies in other states as well as the US federal government.
Trade ReviewThe authors combine a concise summary of supply-side economics with a detailed study of Governor Sam Brownback’s Kansas economic “experiment” to provide a clear-headed assessment of the roots and implications of this major policy change. While Kansas is just a single state, national editorialists and reporters have noted that it provides the clearest test of supply-side economics policies and the claims that lower taxes would lead to enhanced economic growth. With clear writing and straightforward analysis, “Low Taxes, Small Government” offers on-the-ground political and economic insights within the narrative of a cautionary tale. -- Burdett Loomis, University of Kansas
The story of Kansas’ and Sam Brownback’s “Great Experiment” is a saga of economic theory, political power, and ultimately, dreams that come crashing to the ground. The authors not only explain how it all came to happen, but do it in way that is understandable and insightful. This book is an invaluable addition to ongoing debates over tax policies and shows vividly that what happened in Kansas has nationwide lessons. -- Bob Beatty
Table of Contents1. Sam Brownback’s Great Experiment 2. From God’s Senator to Glide Path 3. Laying the Foundation for the “Great Experiment” 4. Supply-Side Economics in U.S. Politics 5. Implementing the Experiment 6. 2014 Election Becomes A Referendum on the Experiment 7. Brownback’s Second Term: End of the Experiment 8. Impact of the “Great Experiment”: Summary and Analysis 9. Assessment of the “Great Experiment” 10. Afterword
