💰 Public Funding

An investigation into how governments allocate taxpayer money—and the politics, priorities, and controversies that follow every dollar. Readers seek clarity on the mechanisms that fund the common good.

Filmmaking for Change

by Jon Fitzgerald • 2012

Fund, shoot, edit, and distribute documentaries that turn audiences into advocates.

3.27

🎬 Documentary Filmmaking 💰 Film Funding 📦 Film Distribution

Filmmaking for Change 88%

Fund, shoot, edit, and distribute documentaries that turn audiences into advocates.

by Jon Fitzgerald 2012

3.27

22 ratings

🎬 Documentary Filmmaking 💰 Film Funding 📦 Film Distribution

The Price of Federalism

by Paul E. Peterson • 1995

Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.

3.37

💰 Fiscal Federalism 🇺🇸 American Federalism 📊 Public Finance

The Price of Federalism 88%

Washington redistributes; states compete for growth. The pattern leaves Rust Belt cities behind.

by Paul E. Peterson 1995

3.37

19 ratings

💰 Fiscal Federalism 🇺🇸 American Federalism 📊 Public Finance

Mission Economy

by Mariana Mazzucato • 2020

State-led missions built the internet and GPS; now turn that force on climate and inequality.

3.85

3k+

💡 Innovation Economics 🏛️ Public Sector Reform 🏭 Industrial Policy

Mission Economy 88%

State-led missions built the internet and GPS; now turn that force on climate and inequality.

by Mariana Mazzucato 2020

3.85

3k+ ratings

💡 Innovation Economics 🏛️ Public Sector Reform 🏭 Industrial Policy

Fragmented Democracy

by Jamila Michener • 2018

Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.

4.23

120

🏛️ American Federalism 🏥 Health Policy ⚖️ Political Inequality

Fragmented Democracy 88%

Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.

by Jamila Michener 2018

4.23

120 ratings

🏛️ American Federalism 🏥 Health Policy ⚖️ Political Inequality

The Entrepreneurial State

by Mariana Mazzucato • 2011

The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.

3.94

3k+

🏛️ Innovation Policy 🧬 Technology History 🌱 Green Industrial Policy

The Entrepreneurial State 88%

The state funded the tech inside every iPhone. The private sector took the credit.

by Mariana Mazzucato 2011

3.94

3k+ ratings

🏛️ Innovation Policy 🧬 Technology History 🌱 Green Industrial Policy

Paint Your Town Red

by Matthew Brown • 2021

38 million to 111 million: the spending shift that rebuilt a town.

3.71

173

🏘️ Localism 🗳️ Economic Democracy 🤝 Worker Cooperatives

Paint Your Town Red 88%

38 million to 111 million: the spending shift that rebuilt a town.

by Matthew Brown 2021

3.71

173 ratings

🏘️ Localism 🗳️ Economic Democracy 🤝 Worker Cooperatives

Broke

by Glenn Beck • 2010

America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.

4.01

2k+

💸 National Debt 🪙 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government

Broke 87%

America's real debt tops $64 trillion. Rome and Spain collapsed the same way.

by Glenn Beck 2010

4.01

2k+ ratings

💸 National Debt 🪙 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government

The Givers

by David Callahan • 2017

When the richest Americans give, they also take: control over public life, without a vote.

3.73

485

🏛️ Money In Politics 💰 Wealth And Democracy 🕶️ Dark Money

The Givers 87%

When the richest Americans give, they also take: control over public life, without a vote.

by David Callahan 2017

3.73

485 ratings

🏛️ Money In Politics 💰 Wealth And Democracy 🕶️ Dark Money

Recoding America

by Jennifer Pahlka • 2023

Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.

4.37

3k+

🖥️ Gov Tech 🔄 Digital Transformation 🔁 Agile Government

Recoding America 87%

Government's tech catastrophes share one cause: it treats code as a purchase, never a practice.

by Jennifer Pahlka 2023

4.37

3k+ ratings

🖥️ Gov Tech 🔄 Digital Transformation 🔁 Agile Government

Pasteur's Quadrant

by Donald E. Stokes • 1997

The report that sold America on funding pure science: the engine of health, security, and growth.

3.82

150

🧪 Science Policy 💰 Research Funding 🧬 Basic Research

Pasteur's Quadrant 87%

The report that sold America on funding pure science: the engine of health, security, and growth.

by Donald E. Stokes 1997

3.82

150 ratings

🧪 Science Policy 💰 Research Funding 🧬 Basic Research

The Two Percent Solution

by Matt Miller • 2003

America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.

3.98

🏛️ Domestic Policy 🏥 Healthcare Reform 📚 Education Reform

The Two Percent Solution 87%

America's biggest domestic problems cost two percent of GDP to fix. That's the whole argument.

by Matt Miller 2003

3.98

89 ratings

🏛️ Domestic Policy 🏥 Healthcare Reform 📚 Education Reform

Bring Back the Bureaucrats

by John DiIulio • 2014

Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.

3.22

🏛️ Public Administration 🔧 Government Reform 📄 Outsourcing Critique

Bring Back the Bureaucrats 87%

Government grew. Bureaucracy didn't. The case for hiring federal workers to make it smaller.

by John DiIulio 2014

3.22

32 ratings

🏛️ Public Administration 🔧 Government Reform 📄 Outsourcing Critique

Glimpses of Utopia

by Jess Scully • 2020

A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.

3.97

110

🗳️ Participatory Democracy 💡 Alternative Economics 🌳 Commons Stewardship

Glimpses of Utopia 87%

A fair society is not theoretical. Its pieces are already running in cities across the world.

by Jess Scully 2020

3.97

110 ratings

🗳️ Participatory Democracy 💡 Alternative Economics 🌳 Commons Stewardship

Power to the Public

by Tara Dawson McGuinness • 2021

Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.

3.98

320

🏛️ Civic Technology 📜 Government Reform 🧑‍💻 Human-Centered Design

Power to the Public 87%

Government services fail because they skip users. The fix: design with people, real data, iterate.

by Tara Dawson McGuinness 2021

3.98

320 ratings

🏛️ Civic Technology 📜 Government Reform 🧑‍💻 Human-Centered Design

The Privatization of Everything

by Donald Cohen • 2021

The $2,315 COVID test wasn't a glitch. It was privatization, and it has remade American life.

4.39

728

🏛️ Privatization Critique 📊 Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power

The Privatization of Everything 87%

The $2,315 COVID test wasn't a glitch. It was privatization, and it has remade American life.

by Donald Cohen 2021

4.39

728 ratings

🏛️ Privatization Critique 📊 Political Economy 🏢 Corporate Power

Keeping the Republic

by Mitch Daniels • 2011

A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.

4.02

252

💰 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government 📉 Fiscal Policy

Keeping the Republic 87%

A governor's playbook for cutting debt and restoring self-reliance, minus the Washington fantasies.

by Mitch Daniels 2011

4.02

252 ratings

💰 Fiscal Conservatism 🏛️ Limited Government 📉 Fiscal Policy

Republic, Lost

by Lawrence Lessig • 2011

America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.

4.18

3k+

💰 Money In Politics 🗳️ Election Reform 🔗 Systemic Corruption

Republic, Lost 87%

America's government answers to funders, not voters. The corruption is legal, and it's by design.

by Lawrence Lessig 2011

4.18

3k+ ratings

💰 Money In Politics 🗳️ Election Reform 🔗 Systemic Corruption

The Kickstarter Handbook

by Don Steinberg • 2012

Your Kickstarter succeeds on 30 days, a video, and the crowd you build beforehand. The playbook.

3.74

133

🎯 Crowdfunding 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👥 Audience Building

The Kickstarter Handbook 87%

Your Kickstarter succeeds on 30 days, a video, and the crowd you build beforehand. The playbook.

by Don Steinberg 2012

3.74

133 ratings

🎯 Crowdfunding 💡 Creative Entrepreneurship 👥 Audience Building

In Our Hands

by Charles Murray • 2006

Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.

3.74

290

🏦 Universal Basic Income 📋 Welfare Reform 🏘️ Civil Society

In Our Hands 87%

Eliminate every welfare program. Send every adult one check. It costs less and ends poverty.

by Charles Murray 2006

3.74

290 ratings

🏦 Universal Basic Income 📋 Welfare Reform 🏘️ Civil Society

The Submerged State

by Suzanne Mettler • 2011

Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.

3.88

267

🕶️ Hidden Welfare State 💸 Tax Expenditures ⬆️💰 Upward Redistribution

The Submerged State 87%

Half of Americans who use government programs say they never have. That gap is no accident.

by Suzanne Mettler 2011

3.88

267 ratings

🕶️ Hidden Welfare State 💸 Tax Expenditures ⬆️💰 Upward Redistribution

The Deficit Myth

by Stephanie Kelton • 2020

A currency issuer never runs out of money. The real spending limit is inflation, not debt.

4.02

10k+

💵 Modern Monetary Theory 📊 Fiscal Policy 💸 Deficit Spending

The Deficit Myth 87%

A currency issuer never runs out of money. The real spending limit is inflation, not debt.

by Stephanie Kelton 2020

4.02

10k+ ratings

💵 Modern Monetary Theory 📊 Fiscal Policy 💸 Deficit Spending

Class War?

by Benjamin I. Page • 2009

Americans aren't fighting a class war. They agree on taxing the rich and expanding the safety net.

3.53

💸 Economic Inequality 🏛️ American Politics 📊 Public Opinion

Class War? 87%

Americans aren't fighting a class war. They agree on taxing the rich and expanding the safety net.

by Benjamin I. Page 2009

3.53

45 ratings

💸 Economic Inequality 🏛️ American Politics 📊 Public Opinion

Nation on the Take

by Wendell Potter • 2016

Six billion dollars bought the 2012 election. This is what the donors got for their money.

3.97

126

💰 Money In Politics 🏛️ Corporate Lobbying 🗳️ Political Corruption

Nation on the Take 87%

Six billion dollars bought the 2012 election. This is what the donors got for their money.

by Wendell Potter 2016

3.97

126 ratings

💰 Money In Politics 🏛️ Corporate Lobbying 🗳️ Political Corruption

⿻ 數位 Plurality

by E. Glen Weyl • 2024

Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.

3.51

🗳️ Digital Democracy 🏛️ Civic Technology 🧠 Collective Intelligence

⿻ 數位 Plurality 87%

Tech promised liberation but delivered surveillance and polarization. Taiwan found the off-ramp.

by E. Glen Weyl 2024

3.51

47 ratings

🗳️ Digital Democracy 🏛️ Civic Technology 🧠 Collective Intelligence

What We Owe Each Other

by Minouche Shafik • 2021

The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.

3.85

1k+

🏛️ Social Policy 📉 Economic Inequality 👷 Labor Markets

What We Owe Each Other 87%

The safety net is fraying from childhood to old age. A single plan to rewire it.

by Minouche Shafik 2021

3.85

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Social Policy 📉 Economic Inequality 👷 Labor Markets

How to Run A Government

by Michael Barber • 2015

A small delivery team, relentless data, and boring routines: the real engine of government reform.

3.90

402

📋 Policy Implementation 🏛️ Public Sector Reform 📊 Evidence-Based Policy

How to Run A Government 87%

A small delivery team, relentless data, and boring routines: the real engine of government reform.

by Michael Barber 2015

3.90

402 ratings

📋 Policy Implementation 🏛️ Public Sector Reform 📊 Evidence-Based Policy

The Speech

by Bernie Sanders • 2010

The floor speech that indicted tax cuts, trade deals, and deregulation for gutting the middle class.

4.20

916

📊 Economic Inequality 🏢 Corporate Power 🗳️ Progressive Politics

The Speech 87%

The floor speech that indicted tax cuts, trade deals, and deregulation for gutting the middle class.

by Bernie Sanders 2010

4.20

916 ratings

📊 Economic Inequality 🏢 Corporate Power 🗳️ Progressive Politics

Best Things First

by Bjørn Lomborg • 2023

Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.

3.90

388

🌍 Development Economics 📊 Benefit-Cost Analysis 🤲 Effective Altruism

Best Things First 87%

Saving 4.2 million lives yearly costs $35 billion, if you fund only the most effective policies.

by Bjørn Lomborg 2023

3.90

388 ratings

🌍 Development Economics 📊 Benefit-Cost Analysis 🤲 Effective Altruism

Modernising Money

by Andrew Jackson • 2012

Banks create 97% of all money through lending. That hidden power drives every crash.

4.34

🔄 Monetary Reform 🏛️ Banking Reform 💵 Money Creation

Modernising Money 87%

Banks create 97% of all money through lending. That hidden power drives every crash.

by Andrew Jackson 2012

4.34

53 ratings

🔄 Monetary Reform 🏛️ Banking Reform 💵 Money Creation

Pound Foolish

by Helaine Olen • 2012

The personal finance industry wants you anxious, not wealthy. Your worry is their business model.

3.67

2k+

🦈 Predatory Finance 🔍 Investigative Journalism 💥 Anti-Self-Help

Pound Foolish 87%

The personal finance industry wants you anxious, not wealthy. Your worry is their business model.

by Helaine Olen 2012

3.67

2k+ ratings

🦈 Predatory Finance 🔍 Investigative Journalism 💥 Anti-Self-Help

Big Money

by Kenneth P. Vogel • 2014

$2.5 billion in outside money: why party bosses lost control and donors took over.

3.64

🗳️ Campaign Finance 💰 Dark Money 🏛️ Plutocracy

Big Money 87%

$2.5 billion in outside money: why party bosses lost control and donors took over.

by Kenneth P. Vogel 2014

3.64

90 ratings

🗳️ Campaign Finance 💰 Dark Money 🏛️ Plutocracy

The World's Banker

by Sebastian Mallaby • 2004

Wolfensohn went to Nigeria to speed development. A prison cell taught what no plan can.

3.79

266

🌱 Development Economics 🤝 Multilateralism 💵 Foreign Aid

The World's Banker 87%

Wolfensohn went to Nigeria to speed development. A prison cell taught what no plan can.

by Sebastian Mallaby 2004

3.79

266 ratings

🌱 Development Economics 🤝 Multilateralism 💵 Foreign Aid

Day of Reckoning

by Benjamin M. Friedman • 1989

The 1980s turned America's prosperity into a mortgage, with the next generation as collateral.

3.38

🏛️ Fiscal Policy ⚖️ Political Economy 💸 National Debt

Day of Reckoning 87%

The 1980s turned America's prosperity into a mortgage, with the next generation as collateral.

by Benjamin M. Friedman 1989

3.38

13 ratings

🏛️ Fiscal Policy ⚖️ Political Economy 💸 National Debt

Them and Us

by Will Hutton • 2010

Fairness is not capitalism's enemy. It is the one condition on which capitalism actually works.

3.89

109

🏛️ Political Economy 🇬🇧 British Politics ⚖️ Economic Fairness

Them and Us 87%

Fairness is not capitalism's enemy. It is the one condition on which capitalism actually works.

by Will Hutton 2010

3.89

109 ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🇬🇧 British Politics ⚖️ Economic Fairness

Fiber

by Susan P. Crawford • 2018

Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.

3.87

159

🌐 Internet Infrastructure 📡 Telecom Policy ⚖️ Regulatory Capture

Fiber 87%

Fiber is this century's electricity, and America skipped the wiring job.

by Susan P. Crawford 2018

3.87

159 ratings

🌐 Internet Infrastructure 📡 Telecom Policy ⚖️ Regulatory Capture

A Fine Mess

by T.R. Reid • 2017

Six billion hours a year on taxes. Other countries need minutes. The reform we keep ignoring.

4.24

1k+

🧾 Tax Reform 🏛️ Public Finance 🕳️ Tax Loopholes

A Fine Mess 87%

Six billion hours a year on taxes. Other countries need minutes. The reform we keep ignoring.

by T.R. Reid 2017

4.24

1k+ ratings

🧾 Tax Reform 🏛️ Public Finance 🕳️ Tax Loopholes

Radical Markets

by Eric A. Posner • 2018

We stopped markets halfway. Finishing them means anyone can buy your house at your price.

3.95

2k+

🏛️ Political Economy 🎛️ Market Design 🗳️ Voting Reform

Radical Markets 87%

We stopped markets halfway. Finishing them means anyone can buy your house at your price.

by Eric A. Posner 2018

3.95

2k+ ratings

🏛️ Political Economy 🎛️ Market Design 🗳️ Voting Reform

The Federal Management Playbook

by Ira Goldstein • 2016

Federal leadership follows different rules. A playbook for getting results inside the bureaucracy.

4.40

🏛️ Public Administration 🏢 Public Sector Leadership 🔧 Organizational Design

The Federal Management Playbook 87%

Federal leadership follows different rules. A playbook for getting results inside the bureaucracy.

by Ira Goldstein 2016

4.40

10 ratings

🏛️ Public Administration 🏢 Public Sector Leadership 🔧 Organizational Design

Common Sense

by Joel Greenblatt • 2020

The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.

3.65

276

🏛️ Economic Policy 📚 Education Reform 💡 Market-Based Solutions

Common Sense 87%

The same incentive logic that picks stocks can fix schools, wages, and banks.

by Joel Greenblatt 2020

3.65

276 ratings

🏛️ Economic Policy 📚 Education Reform 💡 Market-Based Solutions

Financial Adulting

by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley • 2022

Personal finance for the system we actually live in, not the one your parents had.

4.16

205

💰 Personal Finance Basics 📊 Budgeting 📈 Investment Basics

Financial Adulting 87%

Personal finance for the system we actually live in, not the one your parents had.

by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley 2022

4.16

205 ratings

💰 Personal Finance Basics 📊 Budgeting 📈 Investment Basics

San Fransicko

by Michael Shellenberger • 2021

Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.

4.01

4k+

🏙️ Urban Policy 🏚️ Homelessness 💊 Drug Policy

San Fransicko 87%

Progressive compassion for the homeless and addicted is making both groups larger and sicker.

by Michael Shellenberger 2021

4.01

4k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Policy 🏚️ Homelessness 💊 Drug Policy

Treasure Islands

by Nicholas Shaxson • 2011

For every dollar in foreign aid, ten flee into tax havens. London's hidden City runs the system.

4.18

2k+

🏝️ Offshore Finance ⚖️ Global Inequality 🏢 Corporate Crime

Treasure Islands 87%

For every dollar in foreign aid, ten flee into tax havens. London's hidden City runs the system.

by Nicholas Shaxson 2011

4.18

2k+ ratings

🏝️ Offshore Finance ⚖️ Global Inequality 🏢 Corporate Crime

Classics of Public Administration

by Jay M. Shafritz • 1978

From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.

3.65

287

🏛️ Public Administration 🧱 Organizational Theory 🔍 Policy Analysis

Classics of Public Administration Summary

Classics of Public Administration 86%

From ancient duty to modern governance: the readings that built public administration.

by Jay M. Shafritz 1978

3.65

287 ratings

🏛️ Public Administration 🧱 Organizational Theory 🔍 Policy Analysis

Good Money Revolution

by Derrick Kinney • 2022

What if wealth-building was an act of generosity? A practical plan to earn, save, and give.

3.75

168

💰 Personal Finance 🧠 Money Mindset 🎁 Charitable Giving

Good Money Revolution 86%

What if wealth-building was an act of generosity? A practical plan to earn, save, and give.

by Derrick Kinney 2022

3.75

168 ratings

💰 Personal Finance 🧠 Money Mindset 🎁 Charitable Giving

Affluence and Influence

by Martin Gilens • 2010

When the rich and the rest disagree, policy follows the rich. Forty years of data.

3.79

145

💰 Money In Politics 📉 Income Inequality 🏛️ Plutocracy

Affluence and Influence 86%

When the rich and the rest disagree, policy follows the rich. Forty years of data.

by Martin Gilens 2010

3.79

145 ratings

💰 Money In Politics 📉 Income Inequality 🏛️ Plutocracy

Medicare for All

by Abdul El-Sayed • 2021

$5,220 for a US hospital day, $765 in Australia. The fix, and how to win it.

4.36

349

🏥 Healthcare Reform 🇺🇸 American Healthcare 🏛️ Single-Payer Systems

Medicare for All 86%

$5,220 for a US hospital day, $765 in Australia. The fix, and how to win it.

by Abdul El-Sayed 2021

4.36

349 ratings

🏥 Healthcare Reform 🇺🇸 American Healthcare 🏛️ Single-Payer Systems

Systems Thinking in the Public Sector

by John Seddon • 2008

Why targets, inspections, and outsourcing make government worse, and how to actually fix it.

3.94

102

🏛️ Public Sector Reform 🔄 Systems Thinking 📋 Government Bureaucracy

Systems Thinking in the Public Sector Summary

Systems Thinking in the Public Sector 86%

Why targets, inspections, and outsourcing make government worse, and how to actually fix it.

by John Seddon 2008

3.94

102 ratings

🏛️ Public Sector Reform 🔄 Systems Thinking 📋 Government Bureaucracy

Why We Can't Afford the Rich

by Andrew Sayer • 2014

Rent, interest, and capital gains: the unearned incomes that build fortunes and wreck the planet.

4.02

149

🏦 Rentier Capitalism 🏝️ Tax Havens 📈 Financialization

Why We Can't Afford the Rich 86%

Rent, interest, and capital gains: the unearned incomes that build fortunes and wreck the planet.

by Andrew Sayer 2014

4.02

149 ratings

🏦 Rentier Capitalism 🏝️ Tax Havens 📈 Financialization

Giving Done Right

by Phil Buchanan • 2019

Nonprofits are not businesses. The distinct set of skills that effective giving actually requires.

3.85

146

🎯 Strategic Philanthropy 🏢 Nonprofit Management 📊 Impact Measurement

Giving Done Right 86%

Nonprofits are not businesses. The distinct set of skills that effective giving actually requires.

by Phil Buchanan 2019

3.85

146 ratings

🎯 Strategic Philanthropy 🏢 Nonprofit Management 📊 Impact Measurement

The Wealth of Networks

by Yochai Benkler • 2006

Free, voluntary collaboration now rivals the firm, upending the old rules of economy and democracy.

3.96

2k+

🌐 Digital Commons 👥 Mass Collaboration 💻 Open Source Culture

The Wealth of Networks 86%

Free, voluntary collaboration now rivals the firm, upending the old rules of economy and democracy.

by Yochai Benkler 2006

3.96

2k+ ratings

🌐 Digital Commons 👥 Mass Collaboration 💻 Open Source Culture

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