This paper analyses the voucher concept. It considers different types of vouchers in the public and private sectors, distinguishes between explicit and implicit vouchers, and develops both a general model and a local government model of vouchers. It also reviews arguments for and against vouchers, considers the characteristics and dimensions of vouchers and identifies the rights and responsibilities attached to their use. Based on this comprehensive analysis, it develops a new definition of public service vouchers incorporating exit and voice. The analysis also provides a schema that can be used to design, modify and evaluate individual voucher systems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ahonen, E. (1994) ‘Koulutussetelit korkeakoulussa. Opiskelijan asema korkeakoulujen rahoituksessa’, Opetusministeriö. Koulutus-ja tiedepolitiikan linjan julkaisusarja, 17. Helsinki.
2.
Appleton, S. (1997) ‘User Fees, Expenditure Restructuring and Voucher Systems in Education’, The United Nations University. World Institute for Development Economics Research (WIDER). Working Papers No. 134.
3.
Bailey, S. J. (1999) Local Government Economics. Principles and Practice. ( Basingstoke: Macmillan ).
4.
Blaug, M. (1984) ‘Education Vouchers - It All Depends on What You Mean’, in Le Grand , J. and Robinson, R. (eds), Privatisation and the Welfare State ( London: George Allen & Unwin ).
5.
Becker, G. S. and Guity, N. B. (1997) The Economics of Life. From Baseball to Affirmative Action in Immigration, How Real World Issues Affect Our Everyday Life ( London: McGraw-Hill ).
6.
Cohn, E. (1997) ‘Public and Private School Choices: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence’ in Elchanan, C. (ed.): Market Approaches to Education. Vouchers and School Choice. ( Oxford: Elsevier Science ).
7.
Collin, P.H. , Weiland, C. and Dohn, D. S. (1990) American Business Dictionary. ( Middlesex: Peter Collin Publishing ).
8.
Culpitt, I. (1992), Welfare and Citizenship. Beyond the Crisis of the Welfare State? ( London: Sage ).
9.
Friedman, M. (1962), Capitalism and Freedom, ( Chicago: University of Chicago Press ).
10.
Glennerster, H. (1992), Paying for Welfare: The 1990's. ( Brighton: Harvester Wheatsheaf ).
11.
Harisalo, R. (1993), Julkisten palveluiden tukijöirjestelmö kunnallishallinnossa. Kokeiluja, kokemuksia ja ideoita. Suomen Kunnallisliitto. Helsinki.
12.
Heikkilö, M. , Tormö, S. and Mattila, K. , (1997) ‘Palveluseteli lasten pdivihoidossa. Raportti valtakunnallisesta kokeilusta’, Sosiaali-ja terveysalan tutkimus-ja kehittdmiskeskus. Sosiaali-ja terveysministeriö. Raportteja 216. Jyvdskylä.
13.
Kogan, M. (1988), ‘Normative Models of Accountability’ in Glatter, R. , Preedy, M. , Riches, C. and Masterton, M. (eds), Understanding School Management ( Milton Keynes: Open University Press .).
14.
Lacasse, F. (1992), ‘Vouchers: Issues and Experiences’ in OECD/PUMA, Market-Type MechanismsSeries No 4 ( Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ).
15.
Lamming, R. and Bessant, J. (1988), Macmillan Dictionary of Business and Management, ( Basingstoke: Macmillan ).
16.
Levin, H.M. (1997), ‘The Economics of Educational Choice’ in Cohn, E. (ed.), Market Approaches to Education. Vouchers and School Choice ( Oxford: Elsevier Science ).
17.
Maynard, A. (1975), Experiment with Choice in Education, ( London: Institute of Economic Affairs ).
18.
Nisberg, J.N. (1988), Handbook of Business Terms ( New York: Random House ).
19.
OECD (1993), ‘Managing with Market-Type Mechanisms, Puma Public Management Studies, ( Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ).
20.
OECD (1998), ‘Voucher Programmes and their Role in Distributing Services’, Puma Public Management Committee, ( Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ).
21.
Pommerehne, W. and Frey, B.S. (1997), ‘Public Promotion of the Arts: A Survey of Means’ in Towse, R. (ed), Cultural Economics: The Arts, the Heritage and the Media Industries. Volume II. ( London: Edward Elgar ).
22.
Rosen H. S. , (1995) Public Finance, ( Chicago: Irwin , 4th Edition).
23.
Rönkkö P. (1999), ‘Kotitaloustyön tukimuotojen arviointi ja kehittaminen’, in Oulasvirta, L., Ronkkö, P. and Yli-Olli, P. (eds), Pitkdaikaistyottosmyyden rakenne ja siihen haetut ratkaisumallit Tampereella. Tampereen seudun kumppanuusprojekti yhteistyössä Tampereen yliopiston kanssa. 2/99. Tampereen Seudun Kumppanuusprojekti.
24.
Savas E.S. , (1987), Privatization. The Key to Better Government. ( London: Chathman House Publishers ).
25.
Seldon A. (1986), The Riddle of the Voucher. An inquiry into the obstacles to introducing choice and competition in state schools. Hobart Paperback No. 21. ( London: Institute of Economic Affairs ).
26.
Seldon M. (1991), ‘Vouchers for Schooling’, in Green, D. G. (ed), Empowering the Parents: How to Break the Schools Monopoly, ( London: Institute of Economic Affairs ).
27.
Suomen K. (1994), Palveluseteli ja peruspalvelut. Helsinki.
28.
Uvalic M. and Vaughan-Whitehead D. (eds) (1997), Privatization Surprises in Transition Economies. Employee-Ownership in Central and Eastern Europe. ( London: Edward Elgar ).
29.
Walsh K. (1995), Public Services and Market Mechanisms. Competition, Contracting and the New Public Management, ( Basingstoke: Macmillan ).
30.
West E. G. (1986), ‘Arts Vouchers to Replace Grants’, in Towse, R. (ed), Cultural Economics: The Arts, the Heritage and the Media Industries. Volume II, ( London: Edward Elgar ).
